Union, N.J. (3/29/08) - Senior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) combined for five RBI with two homeruns as #3/9 Kean University swept visiting #16 Rowan University, 10-4 & 9-4, Saturday afternoon at Jim Hynes Stadium. Gianakas finished the afternoon with a 4-for-8 performance with five runs scored as well as a triple in addition to his two homeruns. With both wins the Cougars improve to 18-5 overall and 2-1 in the NJAC.

Catcher Robert Fox (Ocean Twp., N.J.) was 2-for-6 with two runs scored and a solo shot for the Profs. With the loss Rowan falls to 13-6 and 1-3 in conference play.

Game One (Kean 10, Rowan 4)

Through the first five and a half innings of action, all eyes were on the pitching mound as the top pitchers of each team faced off. Rowan's Ryan Kulik (Marlton, N.J.) held a slight edge in the early going, as he didn't allow a Cougar hit until the bottom of the sixth. Kean's Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.) held his ground, however, fanning 12 through six innings of action. RU's lone run up to that point came off of Fox's solo shot in the top of the second inning.

Kean broke up the no-hitter and the shutout in the bottom of the sixth as seniors Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) and Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) each hit two-out singles. Gianakas gave KU their first lead of the game with a three-run blast to left-centerfield for a 3-1 advantage.

Rowan answered back in their half of the eighth with three runs of their own. Juniors Garrett Mull (Chatsworth, N.J.) and Tom Reindel (Flemington, N.J.) each had RBI singles in the frame.

The Cougars put the game away in the bottom of the same inning with seven runs. Freshman Jared Orgel (East Hanover, N.J.) provided a two RBI single up the middle while senior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) had an RBI single.

On the mound, reliever Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) (pictured right) picked up the win in relief for the Cougars. Aich (2-1) tossed one and two thirds innings allowing no runs and just one hit, striking out one. Starter Joe Bartlinksi earned a no-decision after tossing seven and a third innings allowing four runs and seven hits, he walked two and fanned 13.

Kulik recorded the loss for the Profs. Kulik (4-2) threw seven plus innings allowing eight runs, six earned, and six hits. He also struck out 10 and walked four.

Offensively Burke was 3-for-5 with two runs scored for the Cougars.

Game Two (Kean 9, Rowan 4)

Kean jumped on the board first with a three run first inning. Burke got things going with a sacrifice fly. Gianakas followed up with an RBI single. Orgel (pictured left) rounded out the scoring with an RBI double to right-center.

Rowan tied things up with a three-spot in the top of the third. With the bases loaded, Joe Franceschini (Toms River, N.J.) hit a two RBI single. Roland Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch.

KU got all the runs they would need in the bottom of the same inning, plating four runs. Gianakas led off the inning with a triple to left center. Sophomore Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) drove in Gianakas with a sacrifice fly. After Orgel reached on a double, senior Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) singled him home. De La Rosa completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Junior Drew Campbell (Hillsborough, N.J.) picked up the win in relief. Campbell (4-1) tossed four innings allowing four hits and a run. Aich (3) entered the game in the seventh and picked up the save after throwing three innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit.

Starter Kevin O'Hara (Clayton, N.J.) picked up the loss for the Profs. O'Hara (5-2) threw two and a third innings allowing seven runs and seven hits.

The Cougars will return to action on Thursday, April 3rd as they take on the Pioneers of William Paterson at Jim Hynes Stadium at 3:30 p.m.