Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team edged Franklin & Marshall College, 9-8 in a nonconference game on Wednesday.

Right-hander Mike Behar (sr. Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) had the win on the mound.  He (2-0) went 5.1 innings and gave up two earned runs.  Behar struck out five batters.  Righty Patrick D’Ascenzo (so. Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) pitched the ninth inning for his second save.  Right-hander Gareth Fancher was the losing pitcher.  He (0-1) threw three innings and allowed two earned runs.

Rowan is 15-9 overall and F&M has a 13-13 record.  Catcher Stephen Petriello (fr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) contributed with two hits in two at bats and two RBIs.  Right fielder Eric Sellitto (jr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) went three for four with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.  First baseman Sean Kelly (sr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) recorded a two-run homer and third baseman Kevin McMenamin (so. Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) had a solo shot.  Left fielder Evan Hughes (fr. Wilmington, DE/Alexis I duPont) chipped in with one hit and one RBI. 

For the Diplomats, pinch hitter/center fielder Brian Erb recorded a three-run homer.  First baseman Kevin Shields produced three hits (five at bats) and one RBI.  Third baseman Matt Mezansky was two for five with a double and one RBI.  Shortstop Alex Vescera and catcher Josh Mendelson each had one hit and two runs scored.

The Profs were ahead 6-1 after five innings.  McMenamin had his solo home run in the fourth inning and Sellitto scored on a wild pitch.  In the fifth, Kelly posted a two-run homer that scored pinch runner Bobby Romano (so. Vineland, NJ/Vineland).  The Diplomats trailed 6-2 with one run in the sixth inning.

Both teams had two runs in the seventh.  Shields singled in second baseman Aaron Gillette and left fielder Will Benenson had a sacrifice fly.  Designated hitter Casey Grimes (so. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) crossed the plate on a double by Sellitto.  Hughes’ base hit scored Sellitto.  F&M pulled within one run (8-7) in the top of the eighth on Erb’s three-run homer.  In the bottom half, catcher Greg Myers (fr. Haddon Twp., NJ/Haddon Twp.) had a sacrifice bunt and shortstop Danny Lang (sr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) came home.  The Diplomats’ final run in the ninth scored on a sacrifice fly by Erb .            

Rowan hosts conference opponent Rutgers-Camden on Thursday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m.