HUNTINGDON, N.J. (March 29, 2015) – The Drew University baseball team split a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Juniata College on Sunday afternoon, dropping the first game 3-1 before rebounding for a 12-4 victory in Game 2. The Eagles (6-9, 2-7) claimed the conference series 2-1, while the Rangers (6-10) move to 4-4 in the Landmark.
 
An offensively quiet Game 1 was followed by a powerful campaign at the plate in the series finale. Senior shortstop Steve Kowalski, senior center fielder Al Krause, sophomore catcher Mike Miraglia and senior designated hitter Robert Auletti all recorded multiple hits, and clutch hits by Krause, freshman right fielder Ryan Sabbag (two RBIs each) and Auletti (three RBIs) gave the Rangers an early lead it would not give up.
 
Kowalski stole two bases in each game to continue his blistering pace to start the season. The speedy senior is now 18-of-19 in stolen base attempts, leading the Landmark Conference and ranked in the top 10 nationally. Kowalski is currently in a second place tie for active leaders in career stolen bases in NCAA Division III with 75.
 
Senior closer Matthew Hunter picked up the win on the mound in Game 2 after coming on in the third inning and putting in 3.2 innings of work. Hunter allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two. Freshman reliever Joe Dahut hurled the final inning and allowed a hit and a walk, but did not allow a run for his third straight Landmark appearance.
 
Bats Go Quiet in 3-1 Loss to Juniata in Game 1
Box Score
 
The Rangers' lone run of the contest came in the top of third inning, generated by speed and four stolen bases. With one out, Kowalski and sophomore left fielder Mike DiDonato pulled off a double of steal of second and third, respectively. Then with two outs, the pair struck again on the double steal of third and home to put Drew ahead 1-0.
 
The run was in support of sophomore starter Tommy Broyles, who ended up taking the loss on Sunday. The Eagles didn't fare much against Broyles until late in the game. The sophomore tossed 5.2 innings of five-hit ball with two walks and five strikeouts. However, Juniata touched Broyles for three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Fourteen-Hit Attack Salvages Series Finale in 12-4 Victory
Box Score
 
Eight different Rangers recorded hits and eight different Rangers notched RBIs in the series finale against Juniata. A five-run first inning set the tone, and Drew put up three runs in each the third and seventh innings to record its season-high scoring output.
 
Drew batted around in the first and received RBIs from junior first baseman Bobby Miskura, Miraglia, Auletti and sophomore third baseman Jonathan Rodrigues.
 
Auletti added on to the lead in the top of the third with an RBI single before DiDonato drew a bases-loaded walk and Kowalski hit a sacrifice fly to make it 8-0.
 
Juniata got a few back in the bottom of the third, and made it 8-3 with a run in the fifth. Krause heated up late in Game 2 with and RBI double in the sixth and a run-scoring single in the seventh. Sabbag added a two-run single of his own in the seventh to reach Drew's season-high 12 run mark.
 
The Rangers return to New Jersey to conclude their Landmark Conference series with Susquehanna University on Monday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Doc Young Field.