MADISON, N.J. (March 25, 2015) – The Drew University baseball team rode both a dominant closing outing from senior Matthew Hunter and a frequent offensive output to an 8-6 Opening Day triumph over Ramapo College on Wednesday afternoon at Doc Young Field.
 
Sophomore DH Mike Miraglia went 3-for-4 with both a double and an RBI out of the 6-hole in the lineup. Miraglia, with a slash line of .355/.459/.484, leads the team in each of those figures. Senior backstop Robert Auletti drove in two with a left-center field laser that extended Drew's lead to six in the fifth.
 
Junior first baseman Bobby Miskura also contributed a 3-hit game for the Rangers (5-8), knocking home the first run of the day with a bomb down the left field line that eluded both the outfielder and the fence on a hop for a ground-rule double.
 
Scoring on the 1^st inning two-bagger was senior shortstop Steve Kowalski. The leadoff man made the most of his two hits by stealing three bases as well. Kowalski's day on the base paths extended his Landmark Conference leading stolen base total to 13.
 
Meanwhile, senior starting pitcher Leo Ruiz twirled a 3-hit, 1-run outing that he made last five innings before handing it off to the relief corps.
 
In the 8^th inning the Roadrunners (8-6) bats began to show signs of life. After craftily inputted pinch hitters swatted gap hits and trimmed Drew's lead to 2, Hunter entered. The sidewinding closer was in trouble, however, as he inherited a situation that included two roadrunners on second and third base and no one out. Hunter punched out the first batter with an off speed pitch that tailed outside. After nursing a pop up to get the next man, he coaxed another fly ball that Miskura had to turn and chase into foul territory. Miskura, making like a wide receiver, tucked his toes behind the out of play line, and leaned over to make the sprawling grab. The Rangers and Hunter, who included his trademark howl for good measure, were out of the jam. 
 
Hunter closed out his ninth with a couple more swinging strikeouts and the Rangers ended opening day on the winning end.
 
The Rangers embark on a four-game road trip that includes a full Landmark Conference series against Juniata College. But first Drew will square off with New Jersey City University on Thursday, March 26^th. The non-conference tilt is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.