ROWAN BASEBALL LOOKING LIKE TOP CONTENDER – By Jacob Keppen
Rowan Baseball Looking Like Top Contender
By Jacob Keppen – Sports Writer for Sentinel of Gloucester County Weekly Newspaper
Published in Print Edition Week of 3/14/2019
Rowan baseball looks to bring a national championship back to Glassboro this year. Last season they dominated their way to a NJAC championship before bowing out to Virginia Wesleyan in the Mid-Atlantic Regional. This year Rowan looked stronger than ever, currently ranked second in all of Division 3. If their season opener against Stevens Institute of Technology is any indicator, Rowan will be in national championship contention.
This game was never in question after a huge six run 1st inning for Rowan. That huge start would translate into a 25-3 dominant performance by Rowan over Stevens.
Rowan got the longball going against Stevens, with junior Mitch Walker, junior Eric Schorr, senior Steven Hewa, and sophomore Victor Cruz all hitting home runs. Walker went 2-4 on the day, with four RBIs. Hewa also went 2-4 with three RBIs. Senior shortstop Dillon Mendel led the team in hits against Stevens, going 5-8 with five RBIs while also stealing a base. Matt Woods (who earned two walks) swiped two bases, while Alex Kokos (who had quite the day himself going 3-5 with a walk and an RBI) and Cruz both stole bases.
On the mound, senior pitcher Andrew DiPiazza earned the win for the Profs. The 6’7 hurler struck out five batters in two scoreless innings. Senior pitcher Danny Serreino was untouchable as well. The Jackson, NJ native struck out five batters in 3.2 scoreless innings.
The victory against Stevens showed everything great about this Rowan baseball team. You got to see both of their stellar senior pitchers in DiPiazza and Serreino. The offense was on full display, with the entire lineup able to get runs on the board. You can see the great senior influence on the team, with 12 seniors on the roster. Hopefully the experience of the team can help them close out close games in the future.
Rowan’s next game will come on the road against Stevenson University. The Mustangs currently sit at 6-2 and will be a solid challenge for the Profs.