Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College baseball team split a NJAC conference doubleheader this afternoon against #3 Rowan University at Jeff Maund Field. The Roadrunners took game one 6-2 while the Profs held on for a 5-3 win in game two. The Roadrunners now stand at 14-7 overall, 1-1 in the NJAC while the Profs are now 15-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Game one:
Ramapo starting pitcher Cory Heitler (5-0) struck out 12, walked two and scattered five hits in the complete game win. Heitler has struck out 11 or more batters in five of his six starts this season.

The Roadrunners took an early lead in the game when Joe Maugeri drove home two runs with a hard-hit single down the left field line allowing Austin Unglaub and Connor Walsh to cross home plate for a quick 2-0 lead. Anglaub and Walsh walked and singled earlier in the inning.

In the sixth inning, the Profs came back to tie the game 2-2. Justin Provost and Dan Shane walked before Alex Kokos singled down the right field line with two outs allowing Provost to score. Monny Strickland then laced a double into right field as Shane scored. Kokos was right behind him but the relay throw to home plate allowed Ramapo catcher Liam Duffy to make the tag and end the inning with game tied 2-2.

In the seventh, the Roadrunners took a 3-2 lead when Anthony Kuzmenko was hit by a pitch with one out before he stole second. Austin Unglaub then reached on an infield error as Kuzmenko was able to score an unearned run for the 3-2 lead.

Ramapo extended the lead in the eighth inning with three runs. Maugeri singled with one out before Vincenzo Sita walked. Following a pitching change from the Profs, Duffy came up big with a line drive hit to center field as Maugeri scored for a 4-2 lead. Sita moved to third and Duffy went to third when the throw from the outfield sailed high over the Prof catcher before Ryan MacNaughton was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Following another pitching change from Rowan, Anthony Kuzmenko put down a bunt single as Sita came home for the 5-2 score. Matt Chemis then single through the infield pushing home Duffy for the 6-2 lead.

Heitler made quick work of Rowan in the ninth inning with a 1-2-3 inning to earn the NJAC season opening win 6-2. With the win the Roadrunners also snapped Rowan's 11-game win streak. Maugeri, Duffy and Kuzmenko each collected two hits in the game for Ramapo.

Game two:
Rowan came back in game two with one run in the top of the first inning taking a quick 1-0 lead before Ramapo tied the game in the bottom of the second. Shane led off the game with a walk before he stole second and third and scored on an infield ground out from Kokos.

The Roadrunners got the run back in the second when Maugeri walked to lead off the inning and later scored on an infield ground out from Nick Camilleri to tie the game 1-1. Rowan added one run in the seventh when Provost scored on a pass ball to take a 2-1 lead. The Profs added three runs on four hits in the eighth inning highlighted by RBI double from Strickland.

Ramapo plated two runs in the eighth inning to shrink the Rowan lead 5-3. With two outs and runners on second and third, Bobby Shannon poked a single up the middle allowing Unglaub and Walsh to score. Unglaub reached on an error and Walsh doubled earlier in the inning. Ramapo could not push another run across in their final at bat in the ninth as Rowan came away with the 5-3 road win.

Andrew DiPiazza (3-0) spun a two-hitter with seven strikeouts and three walks in seven innings of work. Justin Smith earned the save for the Profs as he worked the final two innings. He surrendered three hits, two runs (one earned).

Ramapo starting pitcher Jerry D'Andrea (3-2) struck out seven, walked four and scattered four hits in 7.2 innings of work. Kevin Foulds worked the final 1.1 innings with four strikeouts, one walk as he scattered two hits.

The Roadrunners return to action on Monday afternoon when they travel to SUNY New Paltz for a non-conference game at 3:30pm.