La Plume, PA (3-21-10) - Nick Nolan's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning scored Dylan Laguna from third base in what was the eventual game winner, as 10th ranked Kean University sent 22nd ranked Keystone College to its second consecutive loss, 7-6.

The victory moves the Cougars to 9-4 on the year, while Keystone falls to 7-4.

Despite being outhit by the Giants (10-8) and committing three errors, Kean was able to take advantage of 15 strikeouts by their pitching staff to turn back the Giants.

Kean jumped out quickly against Keystone starter Sean Murphy as the first three batters of the game reached base safely.  The Cougars' clean up hitter Ken Gregory took the first pitch he saw on the afternoon and deposited it over the right field wall to put Kean up 4-0.

The Giants chipped away in the third by scoring twice.  Brian Del Rosso led off the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot to left and the Giants added another run on a Ryan Smyth double that scored Esteban Meletiche.

The Cougars got back one of those runs in the fourth as a result of a double steal to go back on top 5-2.  They extended the lead to 6-2 in the fifth on Gregory single to center.

The Giants stayed within striking distance as Eric Groff went yard with a one out shot in the fifth.  Keystone would knot things up in the sixth off of reliever Stephen Montalbano.  Angel Fargas kicked started things with a lead off double which was followed by Ray Jackson reaching when he was hit with a Montalbano offering.  After a passed ball moved the runners up a base, Meletiche delivered a two run single to close the gap to 6-5.

Meletiche would come around to score and tie things up when Edwin Padua reached via a Cougar  error.  The Giants had runners on second and third with one out in the inning, but back-to-back strike outs extinguished the rally.

The Cougars plated their winning run off of Jeff Frost.  Laguna opened the inning with a single and after a strike out, was followed by a Mike Morceri base hit.  After a wild pitch and intentional walk loaded the bases, Nolan lifted the game winner.

Keystone saw their lead off runner reach in the eight, advancing to third, but the Giants failed to push the run across.  

Meletiche, Groff and Del Rosso all finished with two hits each for Keystone, with Groff, Smyth and Fargas each knocking out doubles.  

Laguna finished with three hits for Kean, while Gregory drove in five on the afternoon.

Keystone's Victor Lara turned in an impressive eight and ninth, allowing one hit and striking out four.

The Giants will return to action on Friday when they travel to Gwynedd-Mercy for a 3pm CSAC contest.


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