Box Score
UNION, NJ – The top seed Kean University defeated the sixth seed Rowan University, 3-1 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Championship Tournament on Tuesday.
Rowan (20-14-1) travels to number five Ramapo College (19-17) on Thursday, April 30 for the second round at 3:30 p.m. Kean (33-7), the defending conference champion, hosts the third seed William Paterson University (22-16) on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
The double elimination tournament continues at the highest overall remaining seed on Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Right-hander Pedro Rivera (sr. Elizabeth, NJ/Union Catholic) pitched eight innings for the win. Rivera (4-0) scattered five hits and struck out six batters. Righty Brandon Aich (sr. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) was on the mound for the final inning and earned his 10th save. Left-hander Mark Porter (jr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Lower Merion (PA)) took the loss. Porter (1-2) had six strikeouts in eight innings.
Kean second baseman Mike Moceri (jr. Yardville, NJ/Hamilton E.) went two for four with a double and one run scored. Center fielder Ryan Gibbons (fr. Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) and first baseman Lee Cavico (fr. North Brunswick, NJ/Bishop Ahr) each contributed with one hit and one RBI. Designated hitter Gabe Ramirez (so. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) and left fielder Kyle Walker (so. Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) scored one run apiece.
For Rowan, right fielder John McMullin (sr. Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) registered two hits in four at bats and one run scored. Second baseman David Lenig (jr. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville), catcher Tom Reindel (sr. Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) and center fielder Garrett Mull (sr. Chatsworth, NJ/Lenape) all added one hit. Third baseman Brad Woodend (so. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) had one RBI.
After three scoreless innings, Kean got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Third baseman Dave Zavistoski (jr. Edison, NJ/Edison) drove in Ramirez with a single. Gibbons posted a bunt single, scoring Walker. Rowan trailed 2-1 after one run in the seventh. McMullin led off with a single and he stole second base. Reindel’s single advanced McMullin to third. Woodend reached base on a fielder’s choice while McMullin crossed the plate. The Cougars added an insurance run in the bottom half. With two outs, Cavico singled to right center field and Moceri came home.
The schedule for the NJAC Baseball Championship Tournament is below. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.
Tue., April 28 (at higher seeds)
Game 1 - #1 Kean University 3, #6 Rowan University 1
Game 2 - #2 Montclair State University 3, #5 Ramapo College 1
Game 3 - #4 The College of New Jersey 23, #3 William Paterson University 13
Thu., April 30 (at higher seeds)
Game 4 – #6 Rowan University (20-14-1) at #5 Ramapo College (19-17), 3:30 p.m.
Game 5 – #3 William Paterson (22-16) at #1 Kean University (33-7), 3:30 p.m.
Game 6 – #4 The College of New Jersey (21-16-1) at #2 Montclair State University (22-13), 3:30 p.m.
If four teams remain after game 6:
Sat., May 2 (at highest remaining seed)
Game 7 – winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 8 a.m.
Game 8 – winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, noon
Game 9 – loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 4 p.m.
Sun., May 3 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
If five teams remain after game 6:
Sat., May 2 (at highest remaining seed)
Game 7 – loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 8 a.m.
Game 8 – winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, noon
Game 9 – winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 4 p.m.
If two teams remain after game 9:
Sun., May 3 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
If three teams remain after game 9:
Sun., May 3 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 4 p.m.
