Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University, the second seed, defeated the fifth seed The College of New Jersey, 15-3 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Championship Tournament.
Rowan (28-9-1) hosts the third seed Rutgers-Newark (22-16) in the second round on Thursday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m. Also on Thursday, The College of New Jersey (25-11) plays the sixth seed Montclair State University (18-16) at home. The fourth seed Ramapo College (29-10) travels to the top seed Kean University (32-7). In the other first round games on Tuesday, Kean had a 3-1 victory over Montclair State and Rutgers-Newark topped Ramapo, 12-7.
The remainder of the double elimination tournament continues at the highest overall remaining seed on Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Ticket prices for all rounds are $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children.
Right-hander Mike Swietanski (sr. Woodbury, NJ/West Deptford) was the winning pitcher (7-1). He threw seven scoreless innings, scattering six hits and striking out eight batters. Righty Sean Stewart (sr. Howell, NJ/Freehold Twp.) took the loss (4-2). He surrendered eight runs, seven earned on eight hits in two innings.
Profs’ catcher Nick Turano (jr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) went three for four with three RBIs and two runs scored. Center fielder Matt Citro (sr. Bloomsbury, NJ/Phillipsburg) added three hits (three at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a triple. Third baseman/shortstop Brad Woodend (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) produced three hits (four at bats), one RBI, one run scored and a double. Designated hitter Mark Benak (fr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) was three for four with three runs scored and a double.
Shortstop Marc Magliaro (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) posted one hit (three at bats), two RBIs and two runs scored. Left fielder Scott Weaver (sr. Ledgewood, NJ/Roxbury) compiled two hits (four at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Right fielder Kevin O’Brien (sr. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Mem.) chipped in with three hits (four at bats), two runs scored and a double. First baseman Matt Hill (jr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) went one for two with two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Second baseman Brandon Winkler (jr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) scored twice and pinch hitter/right fielder Nate Floyd (jr. Erial, NJ/Timber Creek Reg.) drove in one run.
For the Lions, first baseman Jimmy Ruzich (jr. Verona, NJ/Montclair Kimberly Academy) tallied two hits (five at bats), two RBIs, two runs scored and a homer. Shortstop Jason Zegarski (sr. Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) had two hits in three trips to the plate. Left fielder Ed Zakrzewski (jr. Three Bridges, NJ/Hunterdon Central) collected a double and one run scored. Right fielder Ethan Carey (jr. Cogan Station, PA/Montoursville) added one hit (one at bat) and one RBI.
Rowan scored one run in the bottom of the first inning. Magliaro reached base on an error and later scored on a single to right center field by Citro. The Profs broke the game open with 10 runs in the third. O’Brien led off with a double and came home on Turano’s single up the middle. Citro’s triple to center field plated Turano. Weaver followed with a RBI single. Hill doubled in Weaver and he scored on a bases loaded walk by Magliaro. Winkler crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Woodend. Turano ripped a two run double up the middle. With the bases loaded, Weaver singled in O’Brien. Hill grounded out and Turano scored from third.
In the fourth, Benak doubled to right field and moved to third on a fly out. He came home on a wild pitch. Rowan tacked on three runs in the fifth. Magliaro singled in Winkler and Benak scored on Floyd’s single through the left side of the infield. Catcher C.J. Szymczak’s (so. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) ground out brought Magliaro home.
TCNJ got on the scoreboard with one run in the top of the eighth. Ruzich singled and later scored on a single to center field by Carey. In the ninth, Ruzich hit a two run blast over the left field fence that knocked in Zakrewski.
This is Rowan’s ninth straight appearance in the NJAC Championship Tournament. The Profs have won 13 conference championships (2004, 2003, 1999, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1968, 1967, 1965 and 1958).
The schedule for the NJAC Baseball Championship Tournament follows. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.
Tue., May 3 (at higher seeds)
Game 1 - #1 Kean University 3, #6 Montclair State University 1
Game 2 - #2 Rowan University 15, #5 The College of New Jersey 3
Game 3 - #3 Rutgers-Newark 12, #4 Ramapo College 7
Thu., May 5 (at higher seeds)
Game 4 – #6 Montclair State University (18-16) at #5 The College of New Jersey (25-11), 3:30 p.m.
Game 5 – #4 Ramapo College (29-10) at #1 Kean University (32-7), 3:30 p.m.
Game 6 – #3 Rutgers-Newark (22-16) at #2 Rowan University (28-9-1), 3:30 p.m.
If four teams remain after game 6:
Sat., May 7 (at highest remaining seed)
Game 7 – winner game 6 vs. winner game 5, 8:00 a.m.
Game 8 – winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, noon
Game 9 – loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 4:00 p.m.
Sun., May 8 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
If five teams remain after game 6:
Sat., May 7 (at highest remaining seed)
Game 7 – loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 8:00 a.m.
Game 8 – winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, noon
Game 9 – winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 4:00 p.m.
If two teams remain after game 9:
Sun., May 8 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
If three teams remain after game 9:
Sun., May 8 (same site as Saturday)
Game 10 – winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, noon
Game 11 – winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 4:00 p.m.
