GLASSBORO–Second-seeded Kean University defeated the fourth seed The College of New Jersey, 14-1 in the championship game of the 2010 NJAC Baseball Tournament on May 9. With the victory which gave Kean its third NJAC title in program history, the Cougars also garnered the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Right-hander Julian Diaz pitched six innings, scattering six hits for the win. He struck out eight hitters and did not allow a run. TCNJ right-hander Connor Henderson took the loss. In five innings, he gave up eight runs, including seven earned.
Cougars’ designated hitter Ken Gregory went three for four with two RBI, one run scored and two doubles. Catcher Eddie Jennings posted three hits, two runs scored and one RBI. Second baseman Mike Moceri and shortstop Steven Giambrone both had three hits in five at bats. Moceri scored two runs and had one RBI, while Giambrone tallied two RBIs and one run scored.
Kean scored one run in the second, third and fourth innings. Nolan led off the second with a triple down the left field line in the second. He came in on a sacrifice fly by Carrano. In the third, Laguna’s single to third base plated Moceri. Carrano walked and later scored on an error in the fourth inning.
The Cougars added five runs in the top of the fifth. Moceri singled and went to second on an error. Gregory drove him in with a single through the right side. Laguna and Nolan were both hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cavico hit a two-run single to left field that brought Laguna and Gregory home. Giambrone ripped a single up the middle that knocked in Carrano and Cavico.
In the top of the seventh, Moceri singled in Jennings and Gregory had a RBI double to make the score, 10-0. In the bottom half, Zegarski singled. He went to second on an error then moved to third on an fielder’s choice. Zegarski crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice by Ruzich. Kean tacked on four runs in the eighth. Jennings and second baseman D.J. Breckenridge walked with the bases loaded, bringing in Jennings. Laguna hit into a fielder’s choice and center fielder Vinny Galya scored.