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Moosic, Pa. (May 16, 2013) - Top-seeded Kean University (36-10) scored three runs on four two-out hits in the first inning and sophomore starter Charles Thielmann threw his team-high sixth complete game for a 5-2 win over #4 Alvernia University (34-10) Thursday afternoon in game seven of the NCAA Division III Baseball Regional at PNC Field.

Alvernia starter James Colgan (Linden, N.J./Roselle Catholic) retired the first two batters of the game then gave up back-to-back singles to the left side before a two-run double just inside the bag at first off the bat of junior Joe O'Connor.  Salvatore Taormina singled in O'Connor and the Cougars had an early 3-0 lead.

The Crusaders mounted their first threat in the home half of the second when Richie Ricciardi (Manlapan, N.J./Manalapan) sacrificed runners up to second and third, but Cody Younker (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) ripped a line drive right at the third baseman and Kevin Bailey (Fallston, Md./Fallston) struck out to end the inning--it was the first two of nine runners left on base by the Crusaders.

Kean tacked on another two-out run in the fourth.  Michael Kendall walked with one out, but was thrown out by Bailey trying to steal second.  Matt Meleo followed with a double just inside the line in left, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored on Tyler Smarslok's single to right.

The Cougars threatened for more against freshman reliever Matt Backlund with another single to put two on with two out, but Backlund got out of the inning with a grounder to short.

The Crusaders answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit in half.  Billy Turner (Columbia, N.J./North Warren Regional) inside-outed a single to left and Matt Patterson (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) was hit by a pitch.  Both moved up on a passed ball and Chris Gehris (Sinking Spring, Pa./Holy Name) delivered with a single up the middle that scored both runners.

Alvernia had just a single runner in the sixth then put two more on in the seventh.  Yonker singled to start the inning and stole second.  After a flyout and a strikeout, Leon Stimpson (Philadelphia, Pa./Malvern Prep) reached on an error by the third baseman.  He stole second on the first pitch to Chris Ray (Exton, Pa./West Chester Henderson), but Ray hit a liner that was easily swallowed up by Nick Ramagli at short.

Kean added insurance in the eighth when Smarslok walked with one out, moved up to second on a ground out, and scored on Ramagli's double to the gap in right center.

Alvernia brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, but still couldn't find the big hit.  Defensive replacement Dustin Stuck (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) singled to left to put runners on first and second, but Younker struck out to end the inning.

Brian Witkowski (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth, but Theilmann got a comebacker and a grounder to short to end the game.

Theilmann gave up 10 hits, but just one earned run.  Colgan went two and a third innings and gave up three runs on six hits.  Backlund was solid in relief going five and two-thirds innings giving up two runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts.  Rich Collins (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) threw the ninth with one strikeout.

Gehris went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs.  Patterson and Younker both had a pair of hits.

Alvernia moves to the losers bracket and will face #3 Misericordia on Friday at 10:00 a.m.

#1 Kean 5, #4 Alvernia 2