Rowan One Game Away from NCAA Regionals
Sunday, May 30, 2021
MARIETTA, OH (May 29, 2021)-- - Sophomore Eli Atiya pitched eight scoreless innings to help seventh-ranked Rowan defeat fourth-ranked Marietta, 2-0, in the NCAA Regionals, putting the Profs just one win away from the NCAA Division III World Series.
Rowan will play the winner of the Marietta vs. Penn State Behrend game on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and needs to win just one game to advance to the World Series in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Atiya kept Marietta off the board, striking out five and not allowing any walks, while giving up just five hits. Senior closer Zach Listro entered in the ninth and recorded his career-high seventh save of the season.
The Profs got all the runs they needed in the fifth with just one hit, taking advantage of two hit batters, two walks, and a wild pitch. After Ryan Mostrangeli walked, Eric DiDomenico singled for the lone hit of the inning. Jared Marks got on base with a fielder's choice bunt and although Mostrangeli was out at the plate, DiDomenico would go to second and move to third after Trip McCaffrey was hit by a pitch.
With the bases loaded, DiDomenico scored when Ryan McIsaac was hit by a pitch, while the next batter, Victor Cruz, drew a walk to score Marks.
Marietta threatened with a runner on second, but Atiya ended the inning on a ground out. The Pioneers also had a runner on base in the eighth, and the Profs' starter got the final two outs, striking out one.
Rowan had just four hits in the game and Mostrangeli had two of them, one against Marietta starter Gino Sabatine and the other against reliever Dylan Albright. Nick Schooley also had a hit to go along with DiDomenico's.
The Profs have added two individual records to this memorable season. Alex Kokos entered the game being tied with Mike Rucci for the record for career hits with 228, which Rucci established in 173 games from 2002-05.
McIsaac also now holds the Rowan record for consecutive games with a base hit in 29 games, having broken the previous record of 25 set by Shawn Kulik in 1996. Although the streak came to an end today, it was the first time since March 20 that the senior went without a hit.
Rowan is looking to win its first regional championship since 2005 and its sixth overall.