UNION, N.J. – The Neumann University baseball team came from behind to beat #3 Kean University 4-3 in extra innings Friday afternoon.
The Knights pulled a massive upset against Kean with Bobby Callan's single to left field and brought home Eric Silakowski for the game winning run. Erik Klimoff would get the save.
The Knights got off to a good start, as they would get one run in the first inning. Will Flores hit a double to right center field. Flores scored the first run of the game off a passed ball and gain a 1-0 lead after the first after inning.
Kean pulled a run back in the fourth inning to tie the score 1-1. With two men on base Matt Smith struck out the batter for the third out.
Kean's bats became active again in the sixth inning, as they scored two additional runs and extend their lead to 3-1.The first batter hit a triple to start the inning. Kean drove home two base runners and Smith was relieved by pitcher Mike Dicken. Dicken got out of the inning with a base runner being thrown out by the Knights catcher Bill Pace and then the next batter grounded out to end the inning.
Neumann had a great response in the seventh inning. First batter, Buddy Elgin hit a triple to left center field. Marty Sessa singled to center field bringing in Elgin to score. Flores stepped up to the plate to deliver a triple, bringing home Sessa to tie the score at 3-3.
Both teams could not take advantage of runners in scoring position for the eighth inning.
The eleventh inning is where the Knights pulled away for good. Silakowski went to first base on a walk. Then he advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Elgin grounded out and Silakowski is advanced to third base. Then, murmers from the Knights clubhouse whispered Callan's name to come up with a big play. Callan cleared the mechanism and connected on a hit to left field, driving in Silakowski to lead 4-3 in the top of the eleventh inning.
Klimoff entered the game in the eleventh inning and finished Kean, along with their #3 ranking, with a quick three outs to end the game.
Flores went three for five and Smith pitched five and a third innings.
The Knights travel to Florida over spring break and play Sunday March 4 against Haverford College. This doubleheader will start at 9 a.m.
