Box Score
UNION, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team defeated Kean University, 7-2 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Thursday.
The Profs are 21-11 overall and 5-6 in the conference. The Cougars have a 23-8 record with an 8-3 NJAC mark. This week, Kean is ranked eighth in the D3baseball.com/National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 Poll and Rowan is 22nd.
Right-hander Mike Behar (jr. Staten Island, NJ/Tottenville) threw 6.2 innings for the win. Behar (5-0) only allowed two runs, one earned on six hits. Righty Ryan Peterson (sr. Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) was on the mound for the final 2.1 innings and earned his fourth save. Right-hander Chris Cirlincione (sr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) took the loss. In 6.1 innings, he (4-2) gave up nine hits and three runs, two earned.
Designated hitter Kevin McMenamin (fr. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) led the Profs with four hits (five at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Catcher Nick Turano (sr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) contributed with two hits (five bats) and two runs scored. First baseman Sean Kelly (jr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) added a double, two RBIs and one run scored.
Center fielder Nick Krieger (fr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) collected three hits in five at bats and one RBI. Right fielder Matt Hill (sr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) registered one hit (three at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Eric Perez (so. Hopelawn, NJ/Woodbridge) posted two hits, one double, in four trips to the plate. Shortstop Marc Magliaro (sr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) tallied one hit and one RBI while second baseman Brandon Winkler (sr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) had a double and one run scored. Third baseman Mark Benak (so. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) scored one run.
For Kean, center fielder Vinny Galya (sr. Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) went two for five with a double and one run scored. Shortstop Steve Sanguiliano (sr. Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) totaled two hits (four at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Catcher Eddie Jennings (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) and second baseman Tyler Smarslok (so. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) each had one hit.
The score was tied at two after five innings. The Profs went ahead with one run in the top of the sixth. Turano singled up the middle for the first at bat and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. He went to third after a fly out to center field. McMenamin drove in Turano with a single down the left field line.
Rowan had a 4-2 lead in the eighth. McMenamin got on base with a single to center field. He moved to third after a double by Perez and came home on Kreiger’s single. The Profs added three insurance runs in the ninth inning. With two outs, Turano had a base hit to left center field and Hill was hit by a pitch. Kelly ripped a double to right field that sent Turano and Hill home. McMenamin singled to center field and Kelly scored.
Both teams registered two runs in the first inning. In the top half, Winkler led off with a double to left center field. Benak had a sacrifice bunt and reached base on an error. Magliaro plated Winkler with a single up the middle. With two outs, Hill’s RBI single brought Benak home. In the bottom half, Galya led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Galya crossed the plate on Sanguiliano’s base hit to left center field. Sanguiliano advanced to second on the throw and moved to third on an error. He scored the tying run on an error.
Rowan and Kean play again in Glassboro on Friday, April 20 at 3:30 p.m.
