Valiants Sweep Cougars In Doubleheader Action

Valiants Sweep Cougars In Doubleheader Action
Kean Athletics

Piscataway, N.J. (3/2/08) - Senior Frank Albano (Valhalla, N.Y.) picked up two saves after tossing three scoreless innings as Manhattanville College earned a sweep of Kean University, 5-3 in extra innings and 3-2 in the nightcap. Sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) launched his first homerun of the season, a two-run blast in game two to tie the game at two apiece, but it wasn't enough for the Cougars (1-2).

Game 1

In what was supposed to be a seven inning affair, Kean jumped on the board with a single run in the bottom of the sixth as senior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) singled home senior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.). The Valiants (2-0) fought back and plated three runs in the top of the seventh as catcher Jeff Dunn (Durango, Colo.) hit a two-run blast to leftfield to give Manahattanville a 3-1 edge.

The Cougars did not go away quietly as they tied things up in bottom of the same inning. Nolan led things off with a double down the right field line and after pitch-runner Mike Hohman (Spotswood, N.J.) entered the game, he quickly came around and scored after senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) hit the right-center gap with a triple. Senior Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) recorded the game-tying RBI with a ground-out.

Pinch-hitter Joe Gallace (Harrison, N.Y.) registered the game-winning hit with a two RBI single in the top of the ninth to seal the win in game one.

Junior Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) suffered the loss in game one. He (1-1) tossed 2.2 innings of relief allowing two runs and two hits. Sophomore John Kain (Harrison, N.Y.) earned the win in relief for the Valiants. Kain (1-0) tossed one scoreless inning allowing just one hit.

Game 2

Game two turned out to be just a seven inning contest after game one went into extra innings. After falling behind 2-0 early, KU tied things up with Nolan's two-run blast in the bottom of the second. The Valiants broke the tie in the top of the sixth as Mike Mooney (Mahopac, N.Y.) hit a two-out single.

Albano entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and retired all six batters that he faced to earn his second save of the afternoon. Senior Danny Alvarez (Port Chester, N.Y.) earned the win after tossing five innings allowing two runs and five hits.

The Cougars will be back in action on Monday, March 3rd as they take on #9 Eastern Connecticut State University at 3 p.m. back at Rutgers University.