Kean gets final say in rivalry, for now

ORANGE, Calif. -  In a cross-country rivalry that has brought the two teams together on the biggest stage in Division III baseball each of the past two years, visiting Kean University (N.J.) claimed the last word of the regular season earning a split in its two-game series against host Chapman University with a 6-5 win over the Panthers at Hart Park on Wednesday night.

The Cougars snapped a four-game losing streak to Chapman that dated back to last season, as well as a recent three-game losing streak during their current West Coast trip. The Panthers were the initial loss of that streak, 5-0 at Hart Park last Saturday night.

Kean (11-4) took an early lead with three runs in the first inning thanks to a two-run double by freshman IF Lee Cavico. The Cougars maintained that three-run cushion into the sixth inning, leading 5-2 heading into the bottom of the inning.

However, the Panthers rallied for three runs of their own to tie the ballgame at 5-5. Outfielders Ryan Hall and John Semel led off the sixth with back-to-back singles, followed by an RBI single by senior IF Tristan Phillips, his second RBI of the game. Junior C Joe Lehman followed with a sacrifice fly and sophomore IF Tyler Hadzinsky knocked in the third run of the inning with a two-out double to center.

Kean put runners at first and second with two outs in the top of the ninth and capitalized on a Chapman error to plate the go-ahead run. The Panthers got a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning from junior IF Halston Barcelo, but could not advance him any further. Senior RHP Brandon Aich tossed a complete game for his first victory of the year for Kean. He had six strikeouts.

Chapman (15-6) out-hit Kean 11-8 in the game, but it was not enough to extend its nine-game home winning streak.

Box score: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/stats/ku-cu2.htm