Mahwah, NJ:  The Ramapo College baseball team defeated #5 Kean University today at Jeff Maund field, 5-3. The Roadrunners improved to 18-10 overall, 7-4 in the NJAC while the Cougars now stand at 24-7 overall, 8-3 in the conference.  
 
In the top of the first inning Kean took a 1-0 lead without recording a hit when Matt Meleo walked and later scored on an infield ground out. Ramapo came back to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Scott Shields walked and Joe Venturino laced a double down the left field line before Scott Peschiani beat out an infield single to first base allowing Shields to touch home plate. Peschiani then stole second base as Venturino stole home for a 2-1 lead. In the second inning, the bases were loaded for Shields with two outs as he ripped a single up the middle plating Ryan Rinsky and Brandon Berger to take a 4-1 lead.
 
Kean cut the lead to two with one run in the fourth inning and looked to add more in the top of the sixth. Ramapo got the lead off batter to ground out before Kean strung together three straight singles to load the bases. Roadrunner starting pitcher Mike Campbell then recorded two strikeouts to end the threat.
 
Ramapo added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 5-2 lead. Shields led off with a single to left center and advanced to second when the ball was misplayed in the outfield. He moved to third on a fly ball out before scoring on Peschiani's double down the right field line.
 
In the top of the eighth, Kean added one run on a sac fly from Matt Krupa to come within two, 3-5. Tyler Curto came in for 1.1 innings of relief, he surrendered one hit and one run before Walker Larson came in for the final 1.2 innings. He surrendered one hit and no runs with one strikeout for his first save of the season.
 
The Roadrunners return to action tomorrow afternoon at #5 Kean University starting at 3:30pm.