GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan baseball will hold a reunion of its 2004 and 2005 College World Series teams at its doubleheader with William Paterson on Saturday, April 19. The members of those teams in attendance will be introduced following Game 1, which begins at 11:30 a.m. The squads, led by head coach John Cole, achieved back-to-back appearances in the NCAA College World Series and each won 40-plus games, an unmatched feat in NJAC history, and are among the most successful teams in Rowan baseball history.

2004 Profs
Roster: Robert Bullard, Shawn Counard, Brian McLaughlin, Brett Bakanec, Brent Dempsey, John Kisty, Jesse Pappler, Tyler Dempsey, Kevin Endicott, Mike Weindel, Josh Schwartz, Jim Starkey, Jeff Craig, Tom McCullen, Jim Gendaszek, Matt Enuco, Joe Giampa, Roger Turley, Mike Rucci, Irv McFarland, Bryan Ciconte, Mike Sclafani, Jimmy Comprelli, Mike Couillou, Nick Urbanovich, Asst. Coach Keith Smicklo, Asst. Coach Mike Dickson, Head Coach John Cole

Rowan posted an impressive 17-2 start that included wins over Cortland State, Wisconsin-Whitewater and Christopher Newport. The Profs continued their stellar play on the way to securing an NJAC regular-season title, which included a perfect 14-0 record at home, and then captured their second straight NJAC Championship with wins over William Paterson and Ramapo.

With the conference title, the Profs earned their second consecutive NCAA Regional berth. In the Mid-Atlantic Regional at Boyertown, PA, they posted wins over Arcadia and DeSales, and two over Johns Hopkins, while giving up only six total runs, to earn their first trip to the College World Series since 1979.

In front of a hostile, hometown, sold-out crowd of 4,400, facing #1 Wisconsin-Whitewater, Rowan unleashed an offensive attack that led to an 8-2 thumping of the top seed.  Josh Schwartz was dominant by outdueling D3 Player-of-the-Year Brady Endle. The Profs' title hopes were short-lived as they fell to eventual champion George Fox, 6-2, and then Aurora, 7-4, in an elimination game.

Rowan finished the year with a #5 national ranking and a 41-8 record, which set the school mark for victories. Josh Schwartz, Mike Rucci and Jimmy Starkey were named All-Americans.

2005 Profs
Roster: Matt Johnson, Robert Bullard, Joe Barrett, Chris Turissi, James Ascolese, Dan Krause, Shawn Counard, Brian McLaughlin, , Paul Urbanovich, Frank Hasenauer, Gary Winkler, Roger Turley, Frank Galeota, Conrad Renner, Bobby Fox, Nick Lamonica, Ryan Kulick, Joe Franceschini, Bruce Reibis, Mike Couillou, Joe Cichy, Jesse Pappler, Tyler Dempsey,  Josh Schwartz, Tom McCullen,  Matt Enuco, Roger Turley, Mike Rucci, Irv McFarland, Bryan Ciconte, Jimmy Comprelli, Mike Couillou, Asst. Coach Keith Smicklo, Asst. Coach Nick Urbanovich, Head Coach John Cole

One year later, with high expectations and a large group of returnees, Rowan began the season as the #1 team in the country.  Even with a target on their back, the Profs would "leave no doubt" by starting the season 18-0. Later that year, the Profs reached the NJAC Championship game but fell short in the quest for a fourth title in seven years.

Rowan received an at-large bid to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (in Boyertown) and after wins over Franklin & Marshall, TCNJ, Johns Hopkins and Alvernia, the Profs were making a return trip to the College World Series in Appleton, WI.

The Profs fired on all cylinders in game one, beating Hampden Sydney, 10-0, for the ninth shutout of the season, demonstrating why they led the nation in ERA. But Rowan was stunned by Wooster, 8-2, and lost an 8-6 heartbreaker to Wartburg in 16 innings, which still stands as the longest Division III CWS game. The Profs turned six double plays in that game, which remains an NCAA record.

The team finished the season with a school-record 42 victories with Schwartz, Rucci and Tom McCullen earning All-America honors. Schwartz also etched his name in collegiate baseball folklore by winning 37 consecutive starts, a record that may never be broken.
Additionally, four players would go on to sign professional contracts – Schwartz (Cardinals), Ryan Kulik (Cardinals), Matt Enuco (White Sox and Rucci (Independent League).

John Cole closed out his coaching career at Rowan in 2005 after seven seasons totaling three NJAC titles, two conference runner-up finishes, and two berths in the College World Series. Cole compiled a 229-73 record with the Profs and ranks second all-time in D3 baseball in winning percentage (76.0).