The Profs remain unbeaten at home this season, after closing out a 2-1, nail-biter on Monday against the York College of Pennsylvania Spartans at the Rowan Baseball Field. The brown and gold pinstripes now own a 17-3 overall record and have won 12 of their last 13 ballgames.
As both offenses struggled to produce on a sunny and windy day, pitching was going to be at the forefront of the victor. Freshman left-hander Miles DeVincentis started, allowing the only run, and giving way for the following five Rowan relievers to have scoreless outings.
“I thought the bullpen did a fantastic job,” head coach Mike Dickson said. “We knew Miles [DeVincentis] was going to be on a short start.”
Rowan held a one-run lead entering the ninth inning when sophomore Evan Brasberger stepped foot on the bump. After getting two quick outs, the Spartans flipped a switch, and within seconds, the bases were loaded.
“If you’re in a game like that where the bats aren’t really hot, like no one’s hitting, it’s really important to pick up your pitchers because they’ve been working for you to not let the other team score,” junior second baseman Joey Bogart said.
In an at-bat that would likely decide the outcome, York sophomore Richard Kline hit a hard grounder destined to get through the first and second base gap. Somehow, someway, Bogart dived and ended the game with his glove.
“I looked down on my watch, and it was a fastball down and away, so I had a feeling the right-handed hitter might hit one at me,” Bogart said.
Bogart’s efforts had winnable value thanks to the heroics of junior Brayden Davis in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hitting a two-run single for the lead, Davis seized the moment once he saw the bases were packed with Profs.
“It’s my favorite thing in the world,” Davis said. “Especially with one out or zero outs, I love it, I love to be in the spot and produce for my guys.”
While Rowan has seen immense success thus far as the No. 6-ranked team in Division III baseball, not every matchup has been kind. Monday’s battle with York was a testament to this reality.
“All year we’ve been faced with adversity, close games, no matter how good the team is,” Davis said. “One thing that we’re really good at with this team is being relentless and staying locked in, no matter what inning it is.”
The Profs continue to deliver in front of their home crowd. Now 6-0 at the Rowan Baseball Field this spring, Rowan is transforming a home into a fortress early on.
“We always say, we don’t lose at home,” Bogart said. “Don’t let anyone come in here and be able to beat us here.”
New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action returns later this week when Rowan plays Rutgers-Camden, the reigning conference champions, on Thursday and Friday. The Profs have a chance on the road and at home, respectively, to take on a Scarlet Raptors team that defeated them in the NJAC tournament last season.
“They beat up on us last year pretty good twice,” Bogart said. “They’re a good team, so we just got to bring everything we got, be ready, and get after them. [It’s] just another game.”
For comments/questions about this story, DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]
