Box Score
READING, PA – First baseman Matt Patterson led off the ninth inning with a home run to center field, giving Alvernia University an 8-7 win over Rowan University in a nonconference game on Wednesday night.
Rowan was ahead, 6-1 after the sixth inning. The Profs added one run in the top of the eighth. Designated hitter Nick Turano (sr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) doubled to right field and scored on an error. Alvernia tied the game (7-7) with six runs in the bottom half. Patterson (so. Hamilton, NJ/Nottingham) reached on a fielder’s choice and he came home on a passed ball. Left fielder Rory Clemens (fr. Harleysville, PA/Landsdale Catholic) drove in three runs with a triple to left field. He crossed the plate on a balk. Third baseman Chris Ray (jr. Exton, PA/Henderson) knocked in right fielder Brian Witkowski (jr. Ewing, NJ/Notre Dame) with a single.
The Crusaders improve to 10-6-1 on the season. The Profs have an 11-4 record. Rowan is ranked 12th in this week’s D3baseball.com/National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 Poll and 15th in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball Poll.
Right-hander Kevin Becker-Menditto (fr. Frederick, MD/Walkersville) earned the win in relief. He (2-0) tossed one scoreless inning. Righty Brian Rice (jr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) was the losing pitcher. Rice (1-2) allowed one run in 0.1 innings.
Patterson finished the game with two hits (five at bats), three runs scored and a homer. Clemens posted two hits (two at bats), three RBIs, one run scored and a triple. Ray went two for five with one RBI. Shortstop Richie Ricciardi (fr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) and Witkowski both produced one hit (two at bats) and one run scored. Witkowski had a triple. Catcher Matt O’Neill (sr. West Chester, PA/Henderson) and center fielder Cody Younker (jr. Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) scored one run apiece.
For Rowan, Turano was two for three with two runs scored, one RBI, a double and a triple. Center fielder Felix Colarte (sr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) collected one hit (three at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a double. First baseman Casey Grimes (fr. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) added one hit (three at bats), two runs scored and a home run. Catcher C.J. Szymczak (jr. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) contributed with one hit (three at bats) and one RBI. Shortstop Marc Magliaro (sr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) and third baseman Kevin McMenamin (fr. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) each crossed the plate once.
The Profs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Magliaro walked and came home on a triple to left field by Turano. Szymczak followed with an infield single that brought in Turano. Rowan added one run in the top of the fourth on Grimes’ solo homer over the left field fence. The Crusader cut the deficit to two (3-1) with one run in the bottom half. Bailey knocked in Patterson with a single to left field.
In the sixth inning, the Profs tacked on three runs to extend the advantage to 6-1. With two outs, Grimes walked and McMenamin was hit by a pitch. Colarte ripped a double to center field and McMenamin and Grimes both scored. Colarte crossed the plate on an error.
Rowan travels to Haverford College for a nonconference game on Friday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
