UNION, NJ – Rutgers-Newark rallied for a lead in the fifth inning, but No. 6 Kean got superlative pitching in an 8-3 New Jersey Athletic Conference game in Jim Hynes Stadium.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

A two-run triple down the rightfield line by junior first baseman Chris Ballester helped give the Raiders a brief 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Senior rightfielder Michael Cassese walked to lead off the inning before senior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer was hit by a pitch with two out to set up Ballester's key hit. Junior third baseman Tim Miller followed with a single to give Rutgers-Newark its only lead.

Raider senior lefthander Billy Cerruti (3-6) lasted seven innings, giving up nine hits while striking out three and walking five before giving way to senior righthander Ryan Williams for an inning of shutout relief.

But Kean bounced back in the top of sixth with senior designated hitter Kyle Walker and senior rightfielder Nick Nolan delivering back-to-back RBI singles against Cerruti to make it 4-3.

Cougar junior first baseman Lee Cavico ripped a two-run double to left centerfield in the seventh to push the Kean lead to 6-3. Freshman shortstop Tyler Smarslok singled and senior second baseman Chris Carrano walked before the duo pulled a double steal to set the table.

Cavico connected on a two-out, two-run single to leftfield in the third to give Kean the early lead. A single to rightfield by junior catcher Eddie Jennings, a bunt single by Smarslok and a walk to Carrano loaded the bases with one out before Cavico's clutch hit.

Kean tacked on two ninth-inning runs against sophomore closer Matt Larangera.

Cougar sophomore righthander Kevin Herget (6-0) went eight innings for Kean (28-5, NJAC 11-2), scattering six hits while striking out 11 and walking just two. Sophomore Greg Baruka gave up two ninth-inning singles but no runs to close out the game.

Senior second baseman Matt Connors and Cassese paced the Raiders' eight-hit attack with two singles apiece. Carrano, Cavico, Smarslok and senior leftfielder Ken Gregory had two hits each in Kean's 11-hit total.

Rutgers-Newark (19-12, NJAC 9-4) hosts Kean at 4:00 p.m. in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on Monday to complete the two-game conference set. John Hopkins visits the stadium on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a non-conference contest.