After splitting a doubleheader against the Ramapo Roadrunners on Saturday, April 14, No. 20 ranked Rowan baseball welcomed the York Spartans to The Nest in Glassboro on Tuesday, April 16 for an out-of-conference matchup.
Rowan put on a show both on the mound and defensively, winning the game by a final score of 6-5, improving to 17-9 on the season.
It was a tale of two games for the Profs, which began with sophomore Shane Sax getting the start on the mound and struggling. In 2.2 innings, Sax gave up eight hits and five runs, which included a solo home run.
Rowan mirrored York offensively, as the Profs were able to consistently get on base against Spartans’ pitcher, Owen Brockner. In the bottom of the first, Dylan Maria got the Profs on the board with an RBI single and later scored on a double hit by Anthoney Schooley.
Then, in a big spot with two outs and the bases loaded, Chris Serrano capped the first inning with an RBI double to make the score 4-1.
“It felt good to come up clutch for the team,” Serrano said. “To get a hit with two outs and batting in two runs to increase our lead was a really big deal in this game.”
Rowan head coach Mike Dickson decided to go to the bullpen early by putting in freshman Nick Cugino in the top of the third after Sax gave up the lead and put runners on the corners. The decision paid off, as Cugino worked out of the jam by striking out Gabe Trevena to keep the Spartans’ lead at 5-4.
York also dipped into their bullpen in the early stages of the game, pulling Owen Brockner after he pitched 2.2 innings.
A home run by Karson Harcourt tied the game in the third inning, and then a sacrifice fly by Maria later in the frame scored Phil Sedalis and gave the Profs a 6-5 lead. From that point forward, Rowan’s bullpen was able to keep York’s offense in check, as they combined for just two hits and no runs allowed.
“The bullpen was great today. I matched it up today so we’d get the matchups that we wanted and we were able to,” Dickson said. “Those guys came out and performed, without them, we don’t win this game.”
The combination of Cugino, Jaxon Casdia, Charlie Russell, and Jake Reese only gave up one hit by the time the Profs entered the top of the ninth inning.
Dickson then called on Sean Colbert for the save opportunity. After giving up a bloop single, Colbert forced the next two batters to fly out. The junior then ended the game with a strikeout, securing his third save of the season and the victory for the Profs.
“I love these moments,” Colbert said. “Coach [Dickson] has trusted me to end games on countless occasions, so I’m always trying to do my best job when I’m up on the mound.”
Cugino got the first win of his career, while Sedalis led Rowan’s lineup with a 3-5 day at the plate. Serrano and Maria co-led the team in RBIs with two apiece.
Next for Rowan is a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) two-game set against the TCNJ Lions in Ewing, New Jersey on April 18. With a 4-6 conference record, the Profs currently sit outside of the playoff picture but have a big opportunity to shake up the standings with back-to-back wins against the Lions, who have a 6-4 conference record.
“We gotta focus and play one game at a time,” Dickson said. “As long as we play defense, continue to pitch well, and have timely hitting, we can get through any team.”
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