Rowan Sweeps Worcester State, 2-1 and 5-2

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team swept Worcester State College (MA), 2-1 and 5-2 in a nonconference doubleheader on Sunday.

In the first game, Worcester State went ahead 1-0 in the top of the ninth inning. First baseman Nate Nelson (sr. Worcester, MA/Holy Name) reached base on a fielder’s choice. Catcher Chris Logan (sr. Spencer, MA/David Prouty) followed with a single that moved Nelson to second. Left fielder Nick Caparell (so. N. Attleboro, MA/N. Attleboro) hit into a fielder’s choice but the throw to third base was wide, scoring Nelson.

Designated hitter Paul Urbanovich (sr. Rutherford, NJ/St. Peter’s Prep) and first baseman Rob Ritterson (sr. Sewell, NJ/George Washington (PA)) had back-to-back walks to start the bottom of the ninth for the Profs. Right fielder John McMullin (jr. Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) followed with a single to load the bases. Catcher Robert Fox (sr. Ocean Twp., NJ/Ocean Twp.) knocked in Urbanovich with a single. Left fielder Frank Hasenauer (sr. Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy) reached base with a fielder’s choice while Ritterson slid under the tag at home to score the winning run.

McMullin and Fox each had two hits. Urbanovich and Ritterson both scored a run, while Fox and Hasenauer recorded one RBI apiece. For the Lancers, designated hitter Nick Fluegge (fr. Ware, MA/Ware) and Logan each posted two hits.

Right hander Kevin O’Hara (jr. Clayton, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) picked up his first win of the season. He threw the final two-thirds of an inning, striking out two batters. Left hander Ryan Kulik (sr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) did not allow a run and struck out 10 hitters in six innings. Pitcher Joey Lucier (so. Brockton, MA/Brockton) started for Worcester State, throwing five scoreless innings. Center fielder/pitcher Matt Hart (jr. Easton, MA/Oliver Ames) suffered the loss.

All five of Rowan’s runs in the second game were scored in the third inning. Shortstop Roland Rodriguez (so. Miami, FL/Miami Killian) crossed home plate on an error for the first run. McMullin recorded a double with the bases loaded, scoring second baseman Joe Franceschini (sr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.), Urbanovich and Ritterson. Left fielder Robert Rose’s (jr. Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) sacrifice fly brought home McMullin.

Worcester State got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Right fielder Chris Gusha (sr. Rutland, MA/Wachusett) singled in shortstop Ryan Raleigh (fr. Cranston, RI/Cranston W.). The Lancers’ second run scored on an error in the seventh. Third baseman Nick Dortona (so. Revere, MA/Malden Catholic) reached base with a single and advanced to second on Raleigh’s single. The Profs attempted a double play and Dortona went to third on a fielder’s choice then scored on an overthrow to first base.

Rodriguez finished the game with three hits in four at bats and one run scored. Left hander Gary Winkler (sr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) pitched six innings for the victory. He scattered four hits and gave up one run that was unearned. Todd Burdette (fr. Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) was on the mound for the final inning. For Worcester State, Gusha was two for three with one RBI and Raleigh had two hits (three at bats) and one run scored.

Rowan is home again on Friday, March 7 against Franklin & Marshall at 3 p.m.