BOX SCORE

Glassboro, N.J. (Mar. 10, 2008) – The forecasted highs are quite different from Ft. Pierce, Florida, where Alvernia College rang up an 8-1 record last week, to Glassboro, N.J., where the Crusaders (9-4) opened up the northern portion of the schedule Monday afternoon at perennial NJAC power Rowan University.

The Profs' ace, senior Ryan Kulik (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) made the Crusader bats match the gametime temperature going six innings and allowing just three hits, all in the same inning, en route to a 7-0 win in non-conference action. The Crusaders averaged better than 12 base hits per game during a nine-game blitz of the Florida Gulf Coast, but the senior lefty used the strikeout to escape his only trouble of the day.

After four straight Ks to start the day, Alvernia mounted its only threat loading the bases with one out in the second. Senior catcher Dale Curry (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) singled through the left side and Steve Burdan (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) followed with a double to left. Freshman Reid Martin (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) then singled but neither runner was able to advance and Kulik escaped with back-to-back strikeouts.

The Profs plated an unearned run in the bottom of the second and built a comfortable lead with five runs in the third.

Martin picked up the Crusaders fourth and final hit of the day with a single to open the eighth, but he was erased on a groundball double play.

Senior starter Pete Fernandez (Waldwick, N.J./Bogota) took the loss going four innings and giving up six runs, five earned, and a trio of first year pitchers threw the final four innings giving up just one run on three base hits.

Alvernia is scheduled to host Franklin & Marshall College in the home opener on Tuesday.

Rowan 7, Alvernia 0