KINGS POINT, N.Y. (March 25, 2016) – A total team effort pushed the Drew University baseball team (7-10, 1-3) past The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (4-10, 1-3) by a score of 5-2 in the opening contest of a three-game Landmark Conference series on the road Friday afternoon.
 
Top Performers: Senior starting pitcher Dylan Baxter improved to 3-0 after throwing 7.2 innings of two-run ball. He allowed eight hits and just one walk while striking out five. Eight of the nine starters in the lineup picked up a hit on Friday, led by junior catcher Mike Miraglia (2-for-5, 1 RBI) and junior designated hitter Tommy Broyles (2-for-5, 2 runs). Broyles would see the field by game's end, pitching the final four outs without a hit or a walk to nail down his second save of the season.
 
The Turning Point: Junior third baseman Jonathan Rodrigues ripped a two-run double to left center field, scoring freshman left fielder Jayson Mitch, who had an RBI double himself one at-bat earlier, and sophomore right fielder Ryan Sabbag. The two-bagger gave Drew a 4-0 lead in support of Baxter's brilliant start on the mound. The rally came right after Baxter got done retiring seven straight Mariners.
 
Other Highlights: With a double to lead off the fifth, senior first baseman Bobby Miskura ran his hitting streak to four games. He scored one at-bat later when Miraglia drove him home on an RBI single for the 5-0 lead. The Drew defense played errorless baseball for the fourth time this season, and improved to 3-1 on the season when committing zero errors.
 
Coach's Take: "Dylan was very efficient today. He did a great job of throwing strikes and getting ahead of hitters. He gave us a chance to win the game and that's all you can ask for from a starting pitcher. Our defense played error free baseball behind him. It was a total team win." – Head Coach Brian Hirschberg.
 
Up Next: The Rangers continue the series at USMMA on Saturday, March 26 with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m.