Union, N.J. (3/5/11) - The Kean University baseball team swept their first doubleheader of the season as they defeated visiting Franklin & Marshall College, 10-2 & 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium.Game One
The Cougar offense came alive as they plated 10 runs with 12 hits, including five doubles. Kean (8-0) never trailed and scored in six of their eight frames.
Kean got things going with three runs in their first at-bat. Junior Vinny Galya led things off with a single and quickly moved to third off a double from sophomore Nick Ramagli. Both moved around on a wild pitch, as Galya scored the game's first run. Two batters later, senior Ken Gregory record an RBI double while sophomore Sean Kelly rounded out the scoring with an RBI double of his own.
The Diplomats (0-4) cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third as JT Triantos took advantage of the bases loaded situation with an RBI single. With the bases loaded still and two outs, Russell Tischler forced in a run as he was hit-by-a-pitch.
The Cougars then controlled the rest of the game added six more runs.
Sophomore Greg Baruka earned his first win of the year in relief. He tossed four innings allowing just two hits, both singles. He also struck out five and walked no one. Relievers Nick Zucchero and Brandon Bujnowski combined for the final two innings shutting down six straight batters.
Offensively Kelly was 1-for- 4 with two RBI while senior Kyle Walker was 2-for-2 with two RBI. Ramagli finished game one with a 3-for-3 performance, two doubles and two runs scored.
Game Two
The Cougars managed to scratch across a run in the bottom of the fourth inning for the game's only run. Senior Nick Nolan scored the game-winning run after reaching on a double. He crossed the plate thanks to an RBI single by Kelly.
Kean got out of a jam in the fifth as Franklin and Marshall loaded the bases with one out with three consecutive hits. Sophomore Kevin Herget was able to produce a ground ball double-play to get out of the inning.
Herget earned the win after tossing six innings. Herget (2-0) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out four. Senior Chris Cirlincione earned his first save of the season as he shut down the side in the top of the seventh.
The Cougars enjoy a short break before heading to the road for their spring trip to California where they will take on nationally ranked Chapman University on Friday evening.
