Box Score AUBURNDALE, FL  – The Rowan University baseball team won 7-3 over Bridgewater College (VA) on Thursday afternoon.  It was the Profs' first game at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
 
Rowan scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to go ahead 4-3.  Designated hitter Monny Strickland (so. Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) came home on shortstop Joe Craig's (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) sacrifice fly.  Strickland reached base with a single and advanced to third with a double by third baseman Matt Jolly (jr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape).  Jolly stole third base and scored on an error by the catcher. 
 
The Profs added two runs in the seventh.  Center fielder Bret Phillips (sr. Audubon, NJ/Audubon) led off with a triple and he crossed the plate on a fielder's choice with left fielder Jason Clapper (jr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) at bat. 
 
Rowan's final run came in the eighth inning.  Right fielder Kyle Golla (jr. Palm Coast, FL/Allentown (NJ)) had a lead off single and he went to second on a wild pitch.  Pinch hitter Shane Brown (jr. Annandale, NJ/North Hunterdon Reg.) knocked in Golla with a base hit.
 
The Profs improve to 3-3 overall and the Eagles are 10-6 on the season.  Right-hander Rob Grilli (jr. Middletown, NJ/Middletown S.) had the win on the mound.  In five innings, he (1-0) only gave up three hits.  Grilli struck out five batters.  Lefty Samuel Imeson went three innings and took the loss.  He (0-1) allowed six hits and four earned runs.
 
Golla ended the game with three hits (four at bats) and two runs scored.  First baseman Steven Todd (sr. Millstone Twp., NJ/Allentown) contributed with one double, a home run and two RBIs.  Jolly chipped in with two doubles, one RBI and one run. 
 
For the Eagles,  third baseman Justin Petock collected three hits in four at bats and one run.  Left fielder Damian Reed and center fielder Garrison Wright each had two hits.
                    
Catcher Chris King recorded a three-run homer in the top of the second, which gave Bridgewater a 3-0 advantage.  The Profs' come back started with a solo home run by Todd in the third inning.  He drove in Golla with a double in the fifth.
 
Next, Rowan has a doubleheader against Clarkson University on Friday, March 11 at 4 p.m. in Auburndale.