Union, NJ – Second-seeded and seventh-ranked Kean University scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Cougars slipped past fifth-seeded Montclair State, 3-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament at Jim Hynes Stadium on Tuesday.

Third baseman KEVIN ALONSO had three hits for the Red Hawks (17-17), who will face No. 1 seed Rutgers-Camden on Friday, May 1 in an elimination game at Noon.  The Raptors fell to sixth-seeded The College of New Jersey, 9-4 at home.

It will be the third meeting between Scarlet Raptors and Red Hawks in eight days as the two split a home-and-home last week.  Rutgers-Camden won the first game, 7-0 behind a no-hit performance by Jeff Singer before MSU came back last Friday with a 3-2, 12-inning win at Campbell's Field.

Scoreless through the first 5 ½ innings, Kean finally put a non-zero number on the board in the sixth with a two-out rally. Sal Taormina walked with one out and scored all the way from first as M Krupa doubled to left field for the 1-0 lead.

Montclair answered in the top of the seventh with two runs to take the lead. KEITH MURPHY led off with double which was followed by another double from PHILIP SCOTT tying the game at 1-1. Scott moved to third on a passed ball and scored as Alonso singled to center giving the Red Hawks the 2-1 lead with no outs. A error on a bunt put runners at the corners however Cougar pitcher Charles Thielmann fanned the next hitter and got a double play to end the inning.

In the eighth, Ryan Kelley walked to open the inning and after a flyout, stole second. He took third on a wild pitch and easily scampered home on a Matt Krupa double knotting the game at
2-2. Reliever AUSTIN MINTON fanned the next batter however Eric Fernandez singled into right with the go-ahead run.

Montclair would get the tying run on in the ninth as Alonso collected his third hit of the game. But the Cougars turned a double play to end the contest.

Thielmann got the win for Kean as he improved to 6-2. He allowed seven hits in the complete-game effort, striking out 10 and walking two. Minton (2-4) took the loss for MSU. Lefthander JONATHAN TORREGROZA went the first 7 1/3 innings allowing nine hits and two runs. Torregroza struck out two and walked two.

Murphy finished with two hits for the Red Hawks.