by Vinny Messana
It hasn’t been a great start to the season for the rebuilding Farmingdale State Rams, but tonight was a landmark win and potential building block for the team.
They defeated Kean University, 10-5, to end their six-game losing streak to the season. It also ended their five-game losing streak to the Cougars which dates back to 2011, when I was a member of the Rams.
Photo Credit: Vinny Messana
They scored five runs in the eighth inning–all with two outs, thanks to an RBI single by Brandon Ernest, two-run single by Ryan Gaffney, steal of home by Anthony Gigante and an RBI single by Domenic Palumbo to break the game open.
David Otero Jr., starting pitcher for the Rams, went 5.0 IP, allowed five runs (four ER) on eight hits while striking out two.
After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning, the Rams answered with two runs in the third inning on Ernest’s first two-run hit of the afternoon.
The Cougars responded with the next three runs but the Rams answered right back with two runs on Nick Attardi‘s RBI hit and another RBI single by Ernest.
In the eighth inning, the Rams broke it open with the five spot to put a damper on the Cougars’ hopes for a comeback.
Kenneth Simco fired two shutout innings for his first collegiate victory. Matt Seelinger fired a spotless ninth inning for their first win of the season.
Farmingdale State smacked 15 hits in this matinee, three each by Attardi, Ernest and Palumbo. Brandon Snow added two of his own.
The Rams will be back in action on Friday against Keene State in Florida at the RussMatt Invitational.
