Baseball

Nodarse Settles In As Rutgers-Newark Defeats Kean, 7-4

UNION, N.J. (4/19/07) - Freshman Dan Nodarse (Rutherford, N.J.) tossed eight innings to pick up the win as Rutgers-Newark defeated fifth ranked Kean, 7-4, Thursday afternoon at Jim Hynes Field.

The loss breaks a five game win streak for the Cougars who fall to 22-5 overall and 9-2 in NJAC play.  The win improves the Scarlet Raiders to 11-18 and 7-4 in conference action.

Kean started off the game by tacking on three quick runs in the first two innings.  Junior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) got things started with an RBI single in the first.  Freshman Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) then homered to leftfield to lead off the bottom of the second while third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.) scored on a wild pitch to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

Rutgers-Newark answered back with two runs in the top of the fourth.  Sophomore Christian Diaz (New Milford, N.J.) ripped a two out double to centerfield, scoring two.

The Scarlet Raiders went ahead in the top of the seventh.  Outfielder Brian Gill (Manasquan, N.J.) tied the game with an RBI single to right.  Two batters later, senior Bill Mercurio (Wappinger Falls, N.J.) drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center.

Rutgers-Newark put the game away in the eighth plating three more runs.  Freshman Anthony Yeswita (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) delivered a key bases-loaded double, driving in two.

Kean rallied in the ninth for what would only by one run.  Down three with two outs and two runners aboard, senior Perry Schatzow (Ocean Two., N.J.) lined a shot down the leftfield line that was called foul.  Rutgers-Newark battled for the final out, sealing the win.

Yeswita was 2-for-4 with two RBI while Tom Callari (Oradell, N.J.) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.  For the Cougars, Clark and Schatzow each had two hits.

Nodarse picked up the win for the Scarlet Raiders.  He allowed three runs and eight hits while also striking out five and walking four.

Senior Joe Augustine (Highland Park, N.J.) suffered the loss for Kean.  Augustine (5-2) tossed 6 1/3 innings allowing eight hits and four runs.  He also walked two and fanned four.

Kean will continue its home slate on Friday, April 20^th, taking on New Jersey City University at 3:30 p.m.