Newark, N.J. (5/5/08) - Top seeded Kean University Cougars avenged two regular season losses and came out swinging, defeating second seeded Montclair State University, 12-4, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship game.
With the win, Kean (34-9) claims both the regular season and tournament title for the first time in program history. This win also gives the Cougars the conference's automatic bid into the upcoming NCAA Division III Tournament.
After trading runs in the first inning, Kean went ahead for good, plating three runs in the bottom of the third. Senior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) broke the 1-1 tie with a bases-loaded single to drive in two. Ammirata would later come around and score on a Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) single.
The Cougars added plenty of insurance recording eight runs over the next three frames. Freshman designated hitter Gabe Ramirez (North Bergen, N.J.) punched out his second homerun of the tournament, a two-run shot, to highlight the offense.
On the hill, senior Andy Cupido (South Plainfield, N.J.) picked up the win after tossing seven solid innings. Cupido (3-0) allowed three runs and nine hits while striking out five and walking three. Junior Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) closed out the final two innings allowing an unearned run with five strikeouts.
Offensively, Ammirata was 1-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored while teammate Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. For the Red Hawks (26-16), senior Mike Nunes (Hazlet, N.J.) had two hits in the loss.
Kean will await the tournament pairings when they are announced early next week. The Mid-Atlantic Regional will be hosted by Kean University at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J. beginning on Wednesday, May 14th.
