Box Score

UNION, NJ – Kean University, the top seed, had a 5-4 victory over the second seed Rowan University in the third round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Championship Tournament on Saturday morning.

The remainder of the double elimination continues at Kean University in Union, NJ on Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, Rowan (29-10-1) faces the winner of the noon game between the sixth seed Montclair State University (19-16) and the third seed Rutgers-Newark (22-17). Kean (34-7) advances to the championship on Sunday, May 8 at noon.

The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children.

Right-hander Mike Russo (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Hun School of Princeton) was the winning pitcher (9-0). He threw eight innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. Russo struck out five batters. Lefty Chris Judge (so. Belleville, NJ/Belleville) was on the mound for the final inning to pick up his second save. Left-hander Mark Porter (sr. Cinnaminson, NJ/Lower Merion (PA)) took the loss (3-1). He surrendered four earned runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings.

The Cougars were led by center fielder Vinny Galya (jr. Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) with two hits (four at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Catcher Eddie Jennings (jr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) went three for three with one RBI, one run scored and a double. Left fielder Ken Gregory (sr. Pittstown, NJ/Immaculata) added two hits (four at bats), one RBI and a homer. Right fielder Nick Nolan (sr. Linden, NJ/Roselle Catholic) tallied one hit (three at bats) and one run scored. Designated hitter Dylan Laguna (jr. Edison, NJ/Edison) scored once, while first baseman Lee Cavico (jr. North Brunswick, NJ/Bishop Ahr) had one RBI.

For the Profs, center fielder Matt Citro (sr. Bloomsbury, NJ/Phillipsburg) posted three hits (four at bats) and one run scored. Third baseman Brad Woodend (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) was two for three with one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Matt Hill (jr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) chipped in with one hit (four at bats) and two RBIs. Shortstop Marc Magliaro (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) collected one hit (four at bats) and one run scored. Second baseman Brandon Winkler (jr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) registered one RBI and one run scored.

Kean went ahead, 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Galya singled to left field and stole second and third. He came home on a sacrifice fly by Cavico. The Cougars added three runs in the second for a 4-0 advantage. Laguna and Nolan had back-to-back walks and advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Jennings followed with an infield single that knocked in Laguna. Galya ripped a two run single down the left field line that brought in Nolan and Jennings.

The Profs cut the deficit to two (4-2) with two runs in the third. With two outs and the bases loaded, Hill singled up the middle, plating Magliaro and Woodend. Rowan came within one (4-3) in the top of the seventh. Citro hit a leadoff single through the right side. He stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Winkler grounded out and Citro scored. In the bottom half, Gregory hit a solo home run over the left field fence. It was his seventh homer of the season. The Profs got one run in the ninth. Winkler walked and moved to second on a single by pinch hitter Nate Floyd (jr. Erial, NJ/Timber Creek Reg.). Magliaro followed with a sacrifice bunt that advanced the runners to second and third. Winkler crossed the plate on a ground out by Woodend.

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 7, #5 The College of New Jersey 6 (TCNJ is eliminated.)
Game 5 – #1 Kean University 8, #4 Ramapo College 4 (Ramapo is eliminated.)
Game 6 – #2 Rowan University 7, #3 Rutgers-Newark 2

Sat., May 7 (at Kean University, Union, NJ)
Game 7 –#1 Kean University 5, #2 Rowan University 4
Game 8 – #6 Montclair State University (19-16) vs. #3 Rutgers-Newark (22-17), noon
Game 9 – #2 Rowan University (29-10-1) vs. winner game 8, 4:00 p.m.

Sun., May 8 (at Kean University, Union, NJ)
Game 10 – #1 Kean University (34-7) vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA