Union, NJ - Kean University senior left-hander Jason Roman (Middlesex, N.J.) allowed only three hits and stuck out four in a complete-game shutout victory, and the Cougars scored three unearned runs in the fourth inning to defeat Montclair State University, 3-0, in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) baseball action on Friday afternoon.

The victory clinched a spot in the NJAC playoffs for the Cougars, as they improved to 12-4 in the conference and 24-9 overall, while Montclair State dropped to 13-16-1 thus far and 8-8 in the NJAC and is mathmatically eliminated for the second straight year in the NJAC Tournament.

Kean batted through the lineup in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Cougars took advantage of two Red Hawk errors and two hits to plate three unearned runs to give Roman all the run support he would need on the afternoon.

The Red Hawks threatened in the top of the eight inning when they loaded the bases with two outs and senior first baseman JOE GIACOMIAZZIO (East Brunswick, N.J.) at the plate. With a 0-1 count, Giacomiazzo laced a would-be RBI line-drive to left-center field. However, Cougar sophomore left fielder Anthony Puzzo (Lacey, N.J.), who was just inserted into the game as a defensive replacement, was able to come up with the catch while sprawled out on his stomach after slipping in the outfield grass.

For the Red Hawks, freshman right-hander JAY COOK (Westfield, N.J.) pitched well in the loss, scattering eight hits, while allowing only two walks and no earned runs in seven innings of work. At the plate, Giacomiazzo had two of the three Red Hawk hits, while sophomore centerfielder ETHAN BOYD (Perth Amboy, N.J.) picked up the other Montclair State hit.