GLASSBORO, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Nationally No. 11/14 ranked Rowan University scored four runs in the third inning to gain a 4-1 advantage before putting the game away with seven in the fifth as the Profs defeated New Jersey City University, 16-1, in the opening game of a New Jersey Athletic Conference baseball home-and-home series on April 17.
First-place Rowan won its sixth consecutive game to improve to 21-6 and 8-3 in the NJAC. NJCU (9-16, 3-8 NJAC) dropped its fourth straight. The Profs entered the contest ranked No. 11 by D3baseball.com and 14th in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III Top 30 poll.
In defeat, sophomore catcher ANDREW NIECH (Avenel, NJ/Colonia), junior center fielder MICHAEL MARTUCCI (Bayonne, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) and sophomore first baseman/right fielder ALEX WEINSTEIN (Colonia, NJ/JFK-Iselin) each collected two hits. Junior designated hitter/first basemanPAT SHELDRICK (Ocean Gate, NJ/Central Regional) drew three walks. Freshman right fielder JOE COUTINHO (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) drove in the lone run for NJCU in the top of the second inning for a 1-0 lead.
Rowan collected 18 hits in the win, led by junior shortstop Ryan Williams who finished a stellar 5-for-5 with three RBIs, three runs and a triple. Junior third/first baseman Kevin McMenamin was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs, a walk and a two-run homerun in the fifth inning.