Grit — an attribute Rowan Baseball has possessed since the start of their 2026 campaign.

Of course, a 32-5 overall record and New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title cannot be ignored, but even with the wins have come the obstacles.

Charlie Russell, a senior from Hackettstown, New Jersey, embodies this truth.

“I had no clue if I was getting back on this mound in a Rowan uniform again,” Russell said. “There were times that I thought I threw my last pitch for Rowan.”

April 10 was an evening struck with excitement when the Profs touched home plate 29 times to capture a school record against Rutgers-Camden. What the home crowd didn’t foresee was the uncovering of a journey that would define the night more than a school record ever could. 

As the sun began to vanish in Glassboro, head coach Mike Dickson knew it was finally time to call on No. 22 to close out the top of the eighth inning — Charlie Russell. With loud speakers playing “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, the senior reliever made his first appearance after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) last November. 

“I was just going through my winter throwing program and I just felt a pop in my arm,” Russell said. “I’m someone [whose] had surgery, you know, way too many times on my arm already and I’m like, ‘alright this is new and this hurts.’ So I kind of knew right away and then the MRI confirmed it.”

For most pitchers, this would be a career ending injury, yet there Russell stood on the mound defying the 12 month recovery period odds. In the moments that followed, “Chuck”, as his coaches and teammates call him, introduced a sidearm delivery on the competitive stage.

“Going back out there I was kind of overwhelmed, like, I haven’t been out there in that setting before throwing [sidearm] competitively to another team,” Russell said. “I felt good doing it and I felt healthy, which was like one of the best parts about it.”

One out, two outs, and before everyone knew it, a swing and a miss concluded Russell’s miraculous return.

“I look in the dugout after getting the last strikeout and they’re all running at me, the coaches are smiling, I’m getting hugs from everyone… it’s a memory that I’ll have forever and I’ll never forget it,” Russell said.

Suffering a career altering injury was one thing, but throwing sidearm after years of throwing overhand to make the comeback a reality is in simple terms — remarkable. Through the discovery phase of this adjustment, Russell, who stands tall at 6 foot 3 inches, knew the challenge was worth accepting. 

“It was definitely difficult at first, I mean, I’m someone tall and going down underneath is not the easiest thing to do, even for anyone,” Russell said. “I never thought I couldn’t do it.”

Of the many motivating voices was assistant coach Jordan Friedman, who was also a submarine thrower during his playing tenure with the Profs from 2015 to 2018. Chris Rollins, a former professional pitcher and Rowan’s pitching coach since 2024, is in awe of Russell’s abilities considering the mountain he needed to climb.

“Usually when you blow out your UCL, your career’s over… there’s really not many second chances after that, unfortunately,” Rollins said. “I haven’t seen it much, but he’s one of those anomalies that can make it happen.”

The Profs have the potential to accomplish incredible feats due to their established culture and team chemistry. Russell came to this realization, which intensified when remembering this was his final year of eligibility. 

“At the end of the day, my mind was, I want to go out with these guys,” Russell said. “I’ve come up with these guys for four years, I’m a senior, these are my best friends, and this is one of my favorite teams I’ve played on here.”

Building off his season debut, Russell has tallied nine scoreless frames in 11 total appearances on the bump while owning a 2.84 ERA — tied for second on team. Dickson took note and continuously trusted his sidearm reliever down the stretch of the season. 

“Just to get on the mound is a huge attribute to the person he is and the player he is, but then not only to get back on the mound, but then have success,” Dickson said. “That just shows you [how much] he cares about the team and the game and the university and playing for this program.”

Russell’s younger sister, Paige, who plays on the Rowan Softball team, is not surprised by her brother’s resiliency. The only word she could use to describe Charlie — Grit.

“I’ve seen it during the summer, during the school year, he works so hard,” Paige Russell said. “He works out all the time, he pitches all the time, and I think for him to just show so much grit and come back out and just face his battles I think it’s an amazing thing.”

Fast forward to Rowan’s NJAC Championship series against William Paterson on May 2. The Profs have a one game advantage, leading, 12-3, and all eyes turn toward the bullpen. When selecting a closer for the bottom of the ninth, to clinch the conference crown, only one name came to mind. 

“It was really kind of a no-brainer when we had the lead and who we wanted to watch the guys pile on,” Rollins said. “It was kind of one of those moments where you get a little emotional because [Russell] worked hard to get to where he needs to be.”

Russell went from not knowing if he’d ever pitch again, to throwing the final pitch of the NJAC tournament. Profs fans rejoiced, the Rowan dugout erupted, and the transformation was complete. 

“There was no one I’d rather have on the mound for that last out, more deserving than him,” Dickson said.

More obstacles remain between the Profs and a national championship this spring, but Russell’s path is just an example of what Rowan has been doing all season long. 

“We’re all rooting for each other,” Russell said. “I love going out there doing my job and coming back and then cheering for the next guy I hand the ball off to and for the hitters.”