FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Muskingum University broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth and handed the Rangers a 5-3 setback on the next-to-last day of Drew's Spring Break trip to Florida.

Senior Jon Cocchio drilled a pair of hits for the Rangers (4-5) while classmate Pete Violante tossed seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits while striking out seven.

The Muskies (3-4) scored once in the first before the Rangers came back with two in the bottom of the inning, when freshman Jake Welsh and Cocchio each drilled a two-out RBI-single.

Violante and Muskingum starter Holden Martin settled in after the first, allowing just one run over the next six innings. The Muskies pulled even with a run in the fourth, but Violante closed his outing with three shutout innings, including fanning the side in the sixth.

In the decisive ninth, Muskingum pushed across its three runs on four hits, a sac fly, and a suicide squeeze bunt. 

The Rangers rallied in the bottom half, when it put the tying run on base. Senior Brent Lincoln drew a one-out walk before junior Cole Bosch single. Senior Anthony Tagliaferro followed up with an RBI pinch-hit single, but reliever Josh Bigrigg induced a game-ending double play.

Junior Kyle Tamburri threw 1 1/3 innings of relief for the Rangers and was handed the loss. Senior Vinny Carlesi came on to record the final two outs.

Drew closes out its trip on Saturday, when it takes on Wilkes starting at 10 a.m.