BOX SCORE

Glassboro, N.J. (Mar. 10, 2009) - Sophomore starter Chuck Nicholas (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) was brilliant through eight innings, bu couldn't quite close the deal as Rowan University (3-1-1) scored four runs in the ninth for a 4-3 win over Alvernia University (9-5) Tuesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at Rowan.

Alvernia plated single runs in the sixth, eighth, and ninth to take a 3-0 lead as Nicholas better four different Prof pitchers who threw two innings apiece.  The home half of the ninth started with a double, just the fourth hit surrendered by Nicholas, and a groundout.  The Profs followed with four straight basehits, the last two knocking in two runs each for the walkoff win.

Mike Latona (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) singled in the first run of the game in the sixth, driving home designated hitter Reid Martin (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) who had walked with one out.

Catcher Steve Bealer (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) singled and scored in the eighth, and sophomore Tim Ahlquist (Millville, N.J./Millville) singled to lead off the ninth, his third hit on the day for the Crusaders, he took second on a wild pitch, went to third on a groundout, and scored on a balk to give Alvernia the 3-0 lead.

Nicholas gave up four earned runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven.  Latona finished 2-for-4 at the plate and freshman Eric Domitrovits (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) went 2-for-3.

Alvernia continues the non-conference schedule at Messiah College on Wednesday.

Rowan 4, Alvernia 3