Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team scored four runs in the ninth inning for an 8-7 win over Neumann University on Wednesday. The victory marked Prof head coach Juan Ranero’s 400th career win.
In the bottom of the ninth, center fielder Nick Kreiger (fr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) and third baseman Kevin McMenamin (fr. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) had back-to-back walks. With one out, left fielder Mark Benak (so. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) had a double to left center field, scoring Krieger and McMenamin. Benak was thrown out going to third. Shortstop Mark Magliaro (sr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) and second baseman Brandon Winker (sr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) each followed with a single. Catcher Nick Turano (sr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) knocked in Magliaro with a single to center field, which tied the game. First baseman Sean Kelly (jr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) recorded the game winning RBI with a double that brought home Winkler.
Rowan is 14-4 overall while Neumann has a 16-6 record. In this week’s, D3baseball.com/National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 Poll, the Profs are ranked 11th and the Knights are 20th. Rowan is also 14th in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball Poll.
Ranero has a career won-lost record of 400-271-5. In 12 seasons at Rowan, he is 291-168-4. This is his second stint at the University. Ranero coached from 1994-1998 (112-74-1) and returned in 2006 (179-94-3). Prior, he was the head coach at Barry University from 2002-2005 (109-103-1).
Left-hander Kyle Brown (jr. Southampton, NJ/Seneca) was the winning pitcher in relief. He (2-0) threw 1.1 scoreless innings and did not allow a hit. Right-hander Erik Klimoff (jr. Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) took the loss. He (1-1) pitched 0.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on five hits.
Benak ended the game with two hits (three at bats) and four RBIs. Winkler went three for four with one run scored. Magliaro contributed with two hits (five at bats), two runs scored one RBI and a double. Kelly chipped in with two hits (three at bats), one RBI and a double. Turano added one hit and two RBIs.
For Neumann, catcher Joey Armata (jr. Philadelphia, PA/Neumann-Goretti) went four for five with two RBIs, two runs scored, a double and a home run. Shortstop Will Flores (jr. Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) had two hits and left fielder Daron Moore (fr. Millville, NJ/Millville) registered two RBIs. Designated hitter Bobby McCormick (jr. Oak Hill, VA/Oakton) produced one hit in three trips to the plate, one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Tyler Drinkard (jr. Glen Burnie, MD/Northeast) and third baseman Anthony LaCava (jr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River N.) each tallied one hit and one RBI. Center fielder Marty Sessa (jr. Lincoln University, PA/Oxford) added one hit and scored two runs.
Neumann jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four runs in the second inning and two in the third. Armata recorded a two run homer to left center field and Moore had a two RBI double in the second. Armata crossed the plate on McCormick’s single in the third and he came home on a double by LaCava.
Rowan got on the scoreboard with three runs in the fifth inning. Benak drove in two runs with a single. Right fielder Matt Hill (sr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) came home on Magliaro’s fielder’s choice. Both teams produced one run in the eighth. Drinkard had a sacrifice fly that sent home Sessa. Turano had a sacrifice fly and Magliaro scored.
Next, Rowan starts its conference schedule at home on Saturday, March 31 against William Paterson University. The doubleheader starts at 11:30 a.m.
