Kean Holds Off Rams in Non-Conference Matchup

Tyler Schrimpf

Union, N.J. - The Farmingdale State baseball team traveled to Kean University this afternoon for a non-conference game against the Cougars are were defeated, 3-2. Kean improved to 9-12 on the year, while the Rams dropped to 10-4.

With two outs in the top of the fourth, junior shortstop Shawn Blasberg (Sound Beach, N.Y.) doubled down the right field line. In FSC's next at-bat, senior first baseman Christopher Reilly (Levittown, N.Y.) was retired on a fly out to left by junior pitcher Christopher Rossi (Branchburg, N.J.) to keep the game tied at 0-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Cougars took a 1-0 advantage on a one-out RBI single through the left side from sophomore left fielder Frank LoGiudice (Edison, N.J.). After a single in their next at-bat, freshman second baseman Conner DeForge (Bound Brook, N.J.) followed with an RBI sacrifice bunt to put the Cougars on top, 2-0. The third and final run of the inning came on a Matt Krupa (Mahwah, N.J.) RBI single to right field which sent Mike Fidanza (Staten Island, N.Y.) around to score.

Farmingdale State entered the top of the ninth trailing 3-0 and after Rossi retired the first two batters, senior Domenic Palumbo (Old Bethpage, N.Y.) walked and Blasberg reached base on a fielder's choice. In the next at-bat, a bases clearing 2 RBI triple to right by junior right fielder Joseph Roche (Westbury, N.Y.) cut the deficit to 3-2. Rossi struck out the next batter to end the threat and seal the 3-2 victory for Kean.

Junior left fielder Anthony Gigante (Bedford Hills, N.Y.) picked up a team-high two hits in three at-bats, while Roche was 1-for-1 with his 2 RBI triple in the ninth inning. The Rams used eight pitchers in the game but junior Tommy Digiorgi (Dix Hills, N.Y.) (1-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in 3.2 innings of work.

Kean was lead by Fidanza who was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and run scored, while LoGuidice had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Rossi (1-0) earned the win after throwing a complete game, allowing two runs on five hits.