MADISON, N.J. (March 24, 2017) – The Drew University baseball team erased three separate deficits and received a walk-off hit from sophomore Joe Grossane in the bottom of the ninth to top No. 24 Ramapo College, 6-5, at Doc Young Field on Friday.
 
By the Numbers: The Rangers improve to 9-3 overall and 2-2 at The Doc, while the nationally ranked Roadrunners fall to 4-6 in their first game this season outside of Florida.
 
Top Performers
• Senior third baseman Jonathan Rodrigues belted his first career home run over the left field hedges to get the scoring started in the third inning. He took a 1-1 pitch over the fence for the 1-0 lead on the solo home, and that was just the start of a powerful day for Rodrigues. He finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBIs, recording run-scoring hits in three different at-bats.
• Junior reliever Paul Roth pitched a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout to set the stage for Drew's walk-off win.
• Sophomore left fielder Jayson Mitch and senior first baseman Tommy Broyles each went 2-for-4 against Ramapo pitching.
 
The Difference: The Rangers loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth following a hit by Mitch, an error on Sabbag's sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to senior catcher Mike Miraglia. Ramapo recorded one out before facing Grossane, who lined a full-count pitch over the head of the shallow right fielder to plate Sabbag for the walk-off victory and the subsequent dogpile on Grossane.

Highlights
• The Roadrunners took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth with a trio of runs off Drew freshman starting pitcher Pete Violante. Rodrigues quickly backed up his pitcher in the bottom half of the frame with a two-run double over the center fielder's head to chase Broyles and freshman designated hitter Anthony Tagliaferro home to tie the game at 3-3.
• Ramapo took the lead back in the sixth on the second consecutive RBI double from catcher Mario Fontanella, but again the Rangers had the answer. Sabbag delivered an RBI sacrifice bunt to send home senior center fieler Richie Poland, who notched an infield single earlier. The run tied the game at 4-4.
• The seesaw tilted again in the eighth with Ramapo's Brandon Martinez cracking a home run to lead off the inning for the 5-4 lead. The Rangers again looked to Rodrigues to erase the deficit, and he was up for the task with his fourth RBI of the game in the bottom of the frame. With two outs and a 3-2 count, Rodrigues pulled a ball through the left side to plate pinch runner Max Felsenstein and knot the game at 5-5.
• Violante and freshman Brandon Radd pitched effectively to keep the Rangers in the game throughout. Violante went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts. Radd made his collegiate debut on the mound and finished two innings with a run, two hits and a walk.
 
Up Next: The Rangers get set for Landmark Conference play with a three-game series scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26 at Doc Young Field against The Catholic University of America. First pitch on Saturday is slated for 1:00 p.m.