Box Score MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University baseball team dropped a non-conference game to The City College of New York, 3-2, on Thursday afternoon at Doc Young Field.
 
Each time the Beavers (8-8-1) scored in the top of an inning, the Rangers (12-14) responded with a run in the bottom half, but the answer fell one run short on an unseasonably cold and blustery April afternoon.
 
"It was great to see our guys respond with a run after each time they scored," head coach Brian Hirschberg said. "Unfortunately, it was just one or two short today. CCNY played a great game and in a close contest, that made the difference."
 
Junior starting pitcher Leo Ruiz pitched valiantly through six innings, allowing three unearned runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
 
Sophomore reliever Jon Vilicich also shined on the mound, throwing the final three innings of scoreless baseball while allowing two hits and a walk.
 
Vilicich came on with the Rangers down 3-2 in the seventh inning and gave his offense the chance to tie and pull ahead. Drew had answers for the Beavers' scoring in the first and third, but only managed one base runner over the final three frames.
 
Drew's best chance to tie came in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Rangers loaded the bases with just one out, and sophomore second baseman Anthony Feltre's potential sacrifice fly was hit on a line to the Beavers' left fielder, who fired home to get the out at home plate.
 
"We got another great pitching performance from our guys," Hirschberg said. "They gave us a fighting chance. We had the opportunity to tie the game, but their left fielder made a great throw to get our guy out at home on a sacrifice fly."
 
CCNY was first on the scoreboard in the top of the first when a throwing error allowed two runs to score for the 2-0 lead.
 
Drew's first answer came in the home half of the first. With runners on first and third and two outs, Feltre singled home freshman designated hitter Jonathan Rodrigues, who walked earlier in the inning, to cut the CCNY lead to 2-1.
 
After the Beavers extended the lead in the top of third with another unearned run, Drew again had an answer.
 
Junior shortstop Steve Kowalski earned his way on base via walk to lead off the inning, and promptly stole two bases to reach third base with no outs recorded. With one out in the books, sophomore third baseman Mike Klinger was thrown out after a well-placed bunt down the third base line, allowing Kowalski to score to set the score at 3-2.
 
The Rangers picked up two more hits over the final six innings, and the Beavers' Jose Aquino picked up his first save of the season with a perfect ninth inning to preserve the CCNY victory.
 
Drew has a short turnaround as they prepare to host a three-game Landmark Conference series with Susquehanna University at Doc Young Field. The doubleheader is set for Friday, April 18 at 1 p.m. and the single, nine-inning contest will be played on Saturday, April 19 at noon.