Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Right fielder Kevin O’Brien hit a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Rowan University a 6-5 win over Albright College in a nonconference game on Saturday.
Rowan improves to 10-5 overall, while Albright has a 3-12 record. The score was tied at five heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Second baseman Brandon Winkler (jr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) led off with a single to left center field. Center/left fielder Scott Weaver (sr. Ledgewood, NJ/Roxbury) followed with a bunt single down the third base line that moved Winkler to second. O’Brien ripped a single through the right side of the infield and Winkler came around to score.
Right-hander John O’Hara (sr. Clayton, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) earned the win (1-0) in relief. He tossed a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout. Righty Jeff White (sr. Stratford, NJ/Sterling) started the game and went 6.1 innings. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and struck out nine batters. Right-hander Kevin Thomas (sr. Auburn, PA/Schuylkill Haven) took the loss (0-3).
O’Brien and Winkler both finished the game with two hits (four at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Shortstop Marc Magliaro (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) compiled two hits (five at bats), one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Eric Newell (sr. Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) went one for four with two RBIs and one run scored. Pinch hitter/catcher Nick Turano (jr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) was one for one with one RBI and a double. Left fielder Eric Perez (fr. Hopelawn, NJ/Woodbridge) and third baseman Brad Woodend (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) registered one hit and one run scored apiece.
For the Lions, third baseman Justin Danser (sr. Ewing, NJ/Ewing) posted three hits (five at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Center fielder Rob Mancinelli (sr. Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) was three for four. Second baseman Nate Peiffer (fr. Robesonia, PA/Conrad Weiser) tallied two hits (four at bats) and one run scored. Catcher Jojo Fischer (sr. Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood Area) and left fielder Collin Hecker (fr. Reading, PA/Holy Name) both collected one hit and one run scored. Pinch hitter Shawn Walbert (sr. Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood) crossed the plate once.
Rowan went ahead 4-0 with two runs in the first and second innings. Newell hit a two run single in the first that knocked in Magliaro and O’Brien. In the second, Perez singled and went to third on Woodend’s single down the right field line. Magliaro grounded out and Perez came home.
Albright cut the deficit to three (4-1) with one run in the top of the third. Fischer had a bunt single. He stole second and advanced to third on an error. Mancinelli was hit by a pitch. Fischer scored when the Profs picked off Mancinelli at second base. In the seventh, Peiffer singled and went to second on a single by Danser. The runners both moved up on a ground out. Peiffer and Danser came home on back-to-back wild pitches.
The Lions took a 5-4 lead with two runs in the top of the eighth. Hecker singled and Walbert reached on an error. Peiffer walked and the bases were loaded. Danser ripped a double down the left field line bringing in Walbert and Hecker. The Profs tied the game in the bottom half. Newell reached base on an error and stole second. Turano knocked him in with a two out double.
Rowan hosts Arcadia University on Tuesday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m.
