UNION, N.J. – The Drew University baseball team rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Kean University answered with two go-ahead runs in the bottom of the frame as the host Cougars handed the Rangers a 6-4 setback. The game marked the debut for Ranger Head Coach John Fugett.
 
By the Numbers
Kean improved to 1-0 and the Rangers fell to 0-1 as the two sides met in their openers for the second year in a row.
 
Highlights
• The Rangers never led but tied the game twice, including in the second when senior rightfielder Mike Pettigrew launched an RBI-triple into the right-center gap that made it 1-1.
• After falling behind 3-1, Drew pulled to within a run on an RBI-single from junior second baseman Bryan Reagle.
• The Cougars pushed their lead 4-2 before Drew pushed across two more runs to tie it again. Junior centerfielder Max Felsenstein drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to make it 4-3 before Pettigrew scored on a fielder's choice in the eighth as the Rangers drew even at 4-all.
• Kean scored what held up as the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice squeeze bunt, then added an insurance run on a wild pitch.
• The Rangers threatened in the top of the ninth, loading the bases before reliever Kyle Gaeb induced a game-ending flyout.
 
Top Performers
• Four Rangers collected two hits, including Pettigrew, who finished 2-for-3 with a triple and a pair of walks.
• Reagle ended the game 2-for-5 with a double.
• Senior shortstop Zach Lipshitz and senior third baseman Eric DiPietro each stroked a pair of singles.
• Senior Joshua Williams allowed just one run on four hits over three innings of relief.
 
Stat Sheet
In an evenly-played game, Kean outhit the Rangers just 12-11; however, Drew left 14 runners on base. The Ranger pitching staff was limited to a pitch count, and none of its four pitchers threw more than three innings. Starter Pete Violante allowed three runs and struck out three over three innings while receiving a no-decision. Senior Davis Fouts (0-1) was handed the loss after yielding Kean's final two runs.
 
Up Next
The Rangers return to Kean on Saturday, when they take on Alvernia University at 3 p.m. in another non-conference tilt.