UNION, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team won the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship over Ramapo College, 4-1 on Sunday.
 
The Profs (33-9) earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  It is Rowan's 16^thNJAC title and first since 2014.  Ramapo is 32-13 overall.  The NCAA tournament bracket will be announced on Sunday, May 13 in the late evening.
 
The Roadrunners were the second seed in the conference postseason and the Profs were fourth.  Prior to the conference final, the two teams played twice in the NJAC tournament.  On Friday, Rowan edged Ramapo, 3-2 while the Roadrunners had a 7-2 victory on Saturday night.     
 
Right-hander Danny Serreino (jr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) went the distance and only gave up three hits while striking out 10 batters.  It was his seventh win (7-2) and third complete game this season.  Lefty Jerry D'Andrea (sr. Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) had the loss. In 5.2 innings, he (5-4) allowed 11 hits and four earned hits. 

Rowan compiled 11 hits and held Ramapo to three.  Shortstop Dillon Mendel (jr. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) led the way with three hits (five at bats), one triple, two RBIs and one run.  First baseman Anthony Harrold (jr. Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) chipped in with two hits and one run.  Second baseman Alex Kokos (so. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) and right fielder Kyle Golla (sr. Palm Coast, FL/Allentown (NJ)) each had one RBI.  Catcher Steve Hewa (jr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and center fielder Dan Shane (jr. Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) scored one run apiece.
 
The Profs were ahead 2-0 after scoring one run in the third and fourth innings.  With two outs in the third, Harrold and Strickland hit back-to-back singles. Golla had a base hit to right center, scoring Harrold.  Mendel knocked in Hewa with a triple to right field in the fourth.  It was Mendel's 12^thcareer triple, which broke the school record of 11.  The previous mark was held by Dean Petrillo (1988-92).  Mendel also tied the triples in a season record with six.
 
Rowan added two more runs in the sixth.  Shane recorded a triple and crossed the plate on a single by Mendel.  Kokos' base hit sent Mendel home.  Ramapo's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh.  Third baseman Vincenzo Sita (jr. Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) had a sacrifice fly that scored center fielder Joe Maugeri (sr. Flanders, NJ/Roxbury).

Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Kean University's Jim Hynes Stadium
Game 10:         Rowan University 13, Kean University 8 
Game 11:         Rowan University 4, Ramapo College 1 (Rowan wins NJAC title.)