Union, NJ (Feb. 12, 2022) - Alvernia University (1-1) split its opening day of the 2022 season on Saturday, with an 11-4 loss to Kean University (3-0) in the first game of the day and a 10-2 win over Drew University (0-2) in game two on Saturday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Kean University.

After taking an early 3-0 lead after the first inning in its game against Kean, the host Cougars took a come from behind 11-2 win over the Golden Wolves. Alvernia then evened the day out with a 10-2 win over Drew University that was capped off by a huge seven run seventh inning. 

In game one of the afternoon, Alvernia's 2022 campaign started off with a lead off single by Zach Rogacki up the left side. Rogacki then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Ayala. Following a Nick Nutile walk, Thomas Faggioni tripled down the right field line to drive in Rogacki and Nutile. Faggioni then came around to score on the same play after a throwing error by Kean's right fielder to give Alvernia the early 3-0 lead.

Kean got one run back in the bottom of the first, and cut it down to a one run lead in the bottom of the third.

The Cougars then took the lead with a five run bottom of the fourth. The Cougars scored its first of the inning on a sacrifice fly. They then added three more on a bases-clearing double, and capped off the inning with a double down the left field line to go up 7-3.

After Alvernia got one back in the top of the sixth on a Brandon Smith sac fly to bring in Faggioni, Kean responded with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 9-4.

A single up the middle by the Cougars in the bottom of the seventh gave the Cougars two more runs to make it 11-4. 

The Golden Wolves stranded two in the final two innings as Kean took the 11-4 win.

Faggioni led Alvernia in game one going two-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Shayne Ostrowsky got the loss on the mound for Alvernia in a four inning performance.

In game two of the afternoon, Drew University opened the game with an inside the park homerun in the top of the first to go up 1-0. Later in that inning, the Rangers added to their lead on a failed pickoff attempt to go up 2-0.

The Golden Wolves got one back in its half of the first, with Nutile reaching on a triple to the gap and coming around to score on a passed ball. 

Alvernia tied it up in the bottom of the second inning, again taking advantage of errant pitching by the Rangers with Faggioni scoring on a wild pitch.

The Golden Wolves then took the 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third with Nutile driving in Rogacki on a fielder's choice. 

After leading by just one run over the next three innings, Alvernia put up seven in the seventh inning. Alvernia's first run of the inning came off a bases loaded hit-by-pitch during Nutile's at bat to allow Matt Edwards to score. With the bases still loaded, Mike Ramundo cleared them up with a triple down the right field line. Alvernia kept things rolling with a Lucas Floyd two-run homer over the left center wall to mark Alvernia's first home run of the season. It didn't take long for Alvernia to notch its second of the season with Billy Dougar sending one over the left field wall during the next at bat to give Alvernia the 10-2 advantage. 

The Golden Wolves held onto the 10-2 lead the rest of the way to pick up their first win of the season.

Jack Cossa picked up the win in a relief appearance. Cossa went three innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. 

The Golden Wolves return to action on February 26 with a doubleheader at Randolph-Macon.