AUBURNDALE, FL – Bethel broke open the game with a five-run seventh inning to defeat Rowan baseball, 11-4, at the RussMatt Invitational this morning. The Profs are now 5-3 with the loss.
 
Bethel led, 4-3, after five innings and then exploded for seven runs in the next two to give the Profs a tough hill to climb in the final innings.
 
The Profs got on the board early, 2-0, scoring one in the first by way of two Bethel errors, with Tyler Cannon scoring in the first after Phil Sedalis' bunt was mishandled. Rowan added another in the second after Chris Curcio doubled eventually scored on a passed ball.
 
The Royals scored three in the third off Profs' starter Chase Rieger to go up, 3-2, and added another in the fourth for a 4-2 lead.
 
Ryan Murphy, who went 2-for-2 in the game, hit a solo shot well over the centerfield fence in the fifth for his second of the season to bring Rowan within, 4-3, but that's when Bethel countered with seven straight, helped by a two-run single from Nick Kulseth and a triple from Marcus Krupke.
 
A number of players made their Rowan debuts, led by Rieger on the mound. The freshman went five innings and struck out three and Charlie Russell gave the team a solid 2.1 innings in relief as he also recorded three strikeouts. Kevin Cole recorded his first career hit and also scored a run in the ninth inning.
 
The Profs get a much-needed day off on Tuesday before returning to action against UMass-Boston on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Park.