Game 1 - Box Score
Game 2 - Box Score 

ASHLAND, VA – The Rowan University baseball team split a doubleheader with Randolph-Macon College on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets won the first game, 8-6, while the Profs took the second contest, 7-3.

It was opening day for Rowan (1-1). Randolph-Macon has a 3-3 record. In game one, right-hander Kyle Hicks (sr. Goochland, VA/Goochland) tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out seven hitters for the win (1-0). Right-hander James Bierlein (sr. Chesterfield, VA/Matoaca) picked up the save. He was on the mound for the final two innings. Bierlein did not allow an earned run and registered six strikeouts. Rowan righty Kyle Norman (sr. Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) took the loss (0-1) in relief.

Yellow Jackets’ catcher Jay Lichter (sr. Richmond, VA/Varina) went three for five with three RBIs and one double. Center fielder Jeb Weymouth (so. Rockville, VA/Hanover) produced two hits (four at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a triple. Second baseman Greg Mitro (sr. Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) had two hits in three at bats, two runs scored and one RBI. Left fielder Brian Jordan (jr. Columbia, VA/Goochland) added one hit (three at bats), three runs scored and one RBI. Designated hitter Cory Jackson (sr. Beaverdam, VA/PH-Ashland) and shortstop Jake Fletcher (so. Deltaville, VA/Middlesex) each scored once, while first baseman Jordan Walton (jr. Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) drove in one run.

For Rowan, center fielder Matt Citro (sr. Bloomsbury, NJ/Phillipsburg) compiled three hits in three at bats, two runs scored and a double. Right fielder Kevin O’Brien (sr. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Mem.) went two for four with three RBIs, one run scored and a home run. Left fielder Scott Weaver (sr. Ledgewood, NJ/Roxbury) contributed with two hits (five at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Designated hitter Brandon Winkler (jr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) had two hits in four trips to the plate and one RBI. Third baseman Matt Hill (jr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) and shortstop Marc Magliaro (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) both scored one run.

Rowan took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Citro led off with a double to right center field. After Citro stole third, O’Brien ripped a RBI single through the left side. Randolph-Macon went up, 3-1 after a three-run third inning. Jordan, Mitro and Weymouth all walked to load the bases. With one out, Lichter hit a three run double to left center field.

The Profs tied the game (3-3) after a two run homer by O’Brien in the sixth. In the bottom half, Jackson got on with a double down the left field line. He advanced to third on a single by Fletcher. Jordan followed with a single up the middle that plated Jackson. Mitro’s single to center field brought Fletcher home. Weymouth chipped in with a two-run triple down the right field line to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-3 advantage.

The Profs pulled within two (7-5) after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. Magliaro singled and he moved to second following a walk by Citro. Weaver hit a two out double to left center field, scoring Magliaro and Citro. In the bottom of the eighth, Walton had a RBI single to right field that knocked in Jordan for an 8-5 lead. Hill got on base after a throwing error and advanced to second on the throw in the top of the ninth. With one out, Winkler ripped a single up the middle and Hill came home to end the scoring.

In the nightcap, left-hander Michael Cox (sr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) threw 5.2 innings for the win (1-0). He allowed two earned runs and struck out four batters. Righty Michael Helbig (so. Midlothian, VA/Midlothian) suffered the loss (1-1). He gave up five earned runs in 5.2 innings.

Designated hitter Rich Fagan (so. Nutley, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) led Rowan with one hit (three at bats), one RBI, one run scored and a homer. Catcher Nick Turano (jr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) was two for two with one run, one RBI and a double. Winkler hit a solo home run. Citro and O’Brien each contributed with one hit and one run scored. First baseman Eric Newell (sr. Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) and Hill both crossed the plate once.

For Randolph Macon, Jordan registered one hit (three at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a home run. Bierlein had one hit in two at bats and scored twice. Jackson posted one hit (two at bats), one RBI and a triple.

The Profs took at 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on Winkler’s homer. In the bottom half, Jordan hit a two run shot to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 advantage. Rowan broke the game open with six runs in the top of the sixth. Citro got on with a single up the middle. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Magliaro. After O’Brien walked, Turano ripped a RBI single to right field, scoring Citro. Hill reached on an error and O’Brien came home. Turano crossed the plate on an error with Newell at bat. Fagan followed with a three run homer. Randolph Macon got one run in the bottom of the seventh. Bierlein had a one out walk and he scored on a RBI triple by Jackson.

Rowan and Randolph-Macon play a single game on Sunday, February 20 at noon.