AMMIRATA, GIANAKAS PROPEL KEAN PAST WPU, 12-8

AMMIRATA, GIANAKAS PROPEL KEAN PAST WPU, 12-8
Kean Athletics

Union, N.J. (4/3/08) - Senior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) was 4-for-5 with a triple while outfielder Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) was 3-for-5 and a triple to lead #3/10 Kean University to a 12-8 victory over visiting William Paterson University Thursday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium. With the win the Cougars improve to 19-5 overall and 4-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). The loss drops the Pioneers to 13-7 and 3-1 in conference play.

The win also gave head coach Neil Ioviero his 300th coaching victory. In the midst of his 11th season at the helm of the Cougars he has amassed a 300-130-2 (.697) overall record.

In today's action, KU got on the board early and often after plating 10 runs in the first six innings of action, including a five spot in the bottom of the sixth. In the sixth catcher Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) started off the inning with a double. Ammirata pushed him across with an RBI single. Gianakas followed that up with a triple to give the Cougars a 7-0 advantage. Senior Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) kept the offense going with an RBI single of his own. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, pinch-runner Gabe Ramirez (North Bergen, N.J.) crossed the plate on a balk and sophomore Chris Carrano (Lincoln Park, N.J.) rounded out the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

The Pioneers got right back into things putting up a five spot of their own in the top of the seventh. Junior Will Courter (Roseland, N.J.) provided the big blow with a two-out, two RBI single.

Kean added insurance runs in the bottom of the same inning as Ammirata registered an RBI triple and later scored on a wild pitch.

On the mound, sophomore Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.) picked up his fourth win of the season as he tossed seven innings allowing five runs, all unearned, as well as five hits. Bartlinski (4-1) also walked three and struck out four. Senior Steve Schlitzer (West New York, N.J.) suffered the loss after throwing five innings. He (1-2) allowed 10 hits and five runs (four earned) while also striking out two.

Offensively sophomore Mike Diaz (Westfield, N.J.) was 2-for-4 with two doubles while teammate Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) (pictured right) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double in the win.

For the Pioneers, senior Dan Limone (Teaneck, N.J.) finished the day with a 2-for-3 performance and three RBI.

Kean will return to conference action as they take on the Gothic Knights of New Jersey City University on Friday, April 4th at 3 p.m. while the Pioneers will host Rutgers-Newark at 3:30 p.m.