Game #4 - Kean University 4 • State University of New York-Cortland 1

 

Cougars Scratch Past Red Dragons

 

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. – Eric Ammirata was scheduled to be the starting designated hitter Friday night for Kean University, but head coach Neil Ioviero had a hunch he might need him in a different role.

He was right.

Ammirata finally got into the game in the 12th inning as a pinch-hitter and produced a two-run single that sparked a 4-1 win for the Cougars over Cortland State University in an opening-round game at the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship finals.

"He's got that kind of magic," Ioviero said of Ammirata. "Everything he hits finds a hole. He was the right guy in the right place."

Kean (40-8) advances to play Chapman University in a winner's bracket game at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Cortland State (40-6), which has lost all four of its extra-inning contests this season, takes on Marietta in an elimination game at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.

The Cougars got their 12th inning rally started when Dan Mattonelli singled to lead off the frame. A throwing error by Cortland starting pitcher Jimmy Dougher on Dan Gianakas' bunt allowed both runners to be safe. Another bunt moved both runners up 90 feet, and Perry Schatzow was then intentionally walked to load the bases.

Ammirata then hit a high hopper that got over the head of first baseman Travis Robinson and two runners scored to put Kean up 3-1. A squeeze bunt by Ryan Clark plated Schatzow and the Cougars were ahead 4-1.

Ammirata's heroics helped deliver a victory for Kean starter Daniel Zeffiro, who pitched all 12 innings. He allowed four hits, struck out nine and walked five to go to 9-1 on the season. He allowed a one-out walk in the bottom of the 12th but then got Steve Nickel to hit into a game-ending 5-4-3 double play.

"When your two, three, four batters are 0-for-14, it's going to be tough to win a baseball game," Cortland State head coach Joe Brown said.

"(Zeffiro) handled our three, four, five batters exceptionally well. We didn't make enough adjustments."

Cortland starter Jimmy Dougher matched Zeffiro pitch for pitch and also went the distance. He gave up nine hits, struck out six and gave up one intentional walk.

"That's what you have to do in a game like this. You have to match the other pitcher," Ioviero said. "Danny was well-rested. He was ready for something like this. He was outstanding."

At one point, the two starting pitchers combined to retire 17 consecutive batters.

The Cougars grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Aaron Richard

doubled to start the rally. He then scored on Schatzow's single up the middle.

A fielding error started a rally for the Red Dragons that would tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. Matt Vitalone reached on the error and moved to second on a bunt. After a ground out moved Vitalone to third, he scored on Nickel's single to left field.

Both teams had chances to win the game in the ninth, but both teams left that winning run stranded at third base.

By Joe Vanden Acker
Lawrence University Sports Information Director