Patchogue, N.Y. (3/23/22) – The Kean University baseball team used a five run eighth inning to push past host St. Joseph's College Long Island by the final of 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action.
Trailing 4-3 heading into the eighth, the #20 Cougars got things going with two walks sandwiched around a sacrifice. Steven Petrosh then gave Kean (15-4) the lead for good with a two RBI double. Philip Mahlik was hit by the next pitch thrown and pinch-hitter Phil Marcantonio took the first pitch he saw over the fence in left to add insurance and give Kean an 8-4 lead.
Relief pitcher Nick Nemes used just four pitches to retire the side in the bottom of the eighth and then sealed the win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts for his first victory of the season. In total he tossed four innings of one hit ball.
Offensively Michael Lapczynski was 3-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a triple short of the cycle. Vince Mele was 2-for-4 with two runs scored from the leadoff spot and Josh Jackson recorded three walks.
The Cougars return home to face Eastern University for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
