UNION, N.J. (April 11, 2017) – The Drew University baseball team led at Kean University until the eighth inning, when the Cougars scored five runs in the bottom of the frame to come from behind and defeat the Rangers, 7-6, on Tuesday evening under the lights.
 
By the Numbers: Kean, which is receiving votes this week in both the ABCA and D3baseball.com National Polls, improved to 17-10 on the year, while Drew has a four-game win streak snapped and falls to 15-7. It was the Rangers' first away loss of the season (5-1).
 
Top Performers
• The reigning Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Week, senior Tommy Broyles, did his damage against Kean at the plate on this day, going 3-for-5 with a double, a run and an RBI.
• Senior center fielder Marc Cohen continues to shine in the leadoff spot, batting 1-for-2 with two walks, a run, RBI and two stolen bases.
 
The Difference: Kean's five-run eighth erased the 6-2 deficit from the beginning of the inning. The Cougars promptly loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk, spelling the end of freshman starting pitcher Pete Violante's day. Kean made it 6-4 before an out was recorded -  a significant bases loaded strikeout by Drew's third pitcher, sophomore Davis Fouts. However, three of his inherited runs would come around to score as Kean completed the comeback and went ahead late in the contest.
 
Highlights
• Down 1-0 in the third, Drew got on the board with Cohen's RBI groundout. Sophomore shortstop Zach Lipshitz delivered the lead in the fourth with an RBI single through the right side. They extended the lead to 3-1 when Lipshitz and senior left fielder Mike DiDonato pulled off a double steal of second and home, respectively.
• The Rangers benefitted from a fielding blunder with two outs in the fifth, scoring two runs on what seemed to be a routine groundout. The bobbled grounder and ensuing errant throw allowed senior catcher Mike Miraglia and junior second baseman Isaiah Mateo to score for the 5-1 advatnage.
• The Cougars got one back in the fifth, but Violante settled down for his final two innings of work. The rookie finished with a line of seven innings, eight hits, five runs, three walks and two strikeouts.
• Broyles' RBI double to the right-center field gap score Cohen easily, who walked to lead off the frame before stealing both second and third base.
 
Up Next: The Rangers return home for a quick turnaround on Wednesday, April 12 at 3:00 p.m. against Keystone College, another team currently receiving votes in both national polls.