SALISBURY, MD – Despite two home runs from
Tyler Cannon, #14 Rowan's ninth-inning rally fell short and the Profs dropped a 9-8 decision to Johnson & Wales, on opening day in a neutral site game at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Stadium.
The weekend's schedule has been adjusted due to the weather forecast and the Profs (0-1) will only play Oswego State on Saturday at 2 p.m. as the game with #2 Salisbury is canceled.
The Profs hit four home runs in the game, led by two from Cannon, which was his first multiple home-run game of his career and matches his total from all of last season. The senior was 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI, with
Pat Defeciani and
Karson Harcourt each going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
With Rowan leading 5-4, Johnson & Wales exploded for five runs on six hits in the seventh inning to earn the win. The Wildcats started the inning with consecutive doubles of Rowan reliever
Jake Reese (0-1) to tie the game, 5-5, and then added a two-run single off
Sean Colbert, with a fielder's choice and an RBI double to take a 9-5 lead.
Rowan threatened in the bottom of the ninth getting one run on a solo homer by
Karson Harcourt, the first of his career.
Mason Dorsey walked and that set the stage for Cannon's second home run of the game to pull the Profs within, 9-8.
The Profs trailed 4-3 in the fourth inning, but got back-to-back solo home runs from
Dylan Maria and Defeciani to take a 5-4 lead.
At the start of the game, Johnson & Wales (1-0) jumped on the Profs right away, with a single and walk, with Hasson driving in one run with a single off starter
Mike Shannon. Owen Davis then sent a pitch to left center for a three-run home run and a 4-0 J&W lead.
The Profs got two back in the second when
Pat Defeciani led off with a double, advanced on a
Jason Morgan single and then scored on a wild pitch. With Morgan advancing to third, Dorsey brought him home with a sacrifice fly.
Rowan added another in the third when Cannon hit the Profs' first home run of the season, with a shot over the right field fence.
