Union, N.J. (4/8/16) – William Paterson University used two innings of scoring to pull past the Kean University baseball team by the final of 4-2 on Friday afternoon in NJAC action.

The Pioneers (14-8, 3-0 NJAC) got things started with a leadoff double in the third from Victor Sanchez.  He would move to third on a sacrifice fielders' choice bunt and scored off an RBI hit from Mike Abate that was deep in the hole at short.  Tyler Garguilo would later score on a double play ball for a 2-0 lead after three.

William Paterson added two more in the sixth as a walk from K.C. Abel to start the frame and a single from Eriq Colon put runners aboard with no outs.  A successful sacrifice moved both into scoring position and they both came home after a two RBI double from Mike Knauf whose bloop hit fell just underneath a diving Ryan Kelley.

The Cougars (13-10, 2-1 NJAC) erased the shutout in the eighth as Tyler Heisch led off the inning with a walk.  Rookie Shayne Fontana followed suit and a single deep in the hole between first and second from Kelley loaded the bases with no outs.  Senior Sal Taormina (pictured left) lined a ball off the pitcher for Kean's first run and an error in the outfield and at second led to the Cougars' second run of the inning.  Bryan Kopko, who entered earlier in the inning, was then able to settle down and retired the next three batters to get out of the jam.

Kean outhit WP, 8-6 and was error free in the loss.

Mitch D'Amato (4-2) picked up the win after tossing seven innings allowing one run and two walks.  Kopko earned his sixth save after throwing two relief innings with one hit and two strikeouts.

Richie Ferguson (3-3) suffered the loss in the complete game effort.  He struck out five.

The Cougars will return to NJAC action on Sunday in a rescheduled doubleheader at Montclair State University, game time is 11:30 a.m.