(box score)
Widener's first NCAA Tournament game in 11 years did not go as planned as it was dealt an early deficit en route to an 11-5 loss to Rowan at the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Trenton, NJ.
Rowan, ranked sixth in the region, struck first in the top of the first when Jordan Marsch singled through the right side to score Scott Weaver. Third-seeded Widener leveled the score at one in the bottom of the frame, getting a long RBI double from sophomore Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) that plated junior Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA).
The Profs (25-14-1) busted things open in the top of the second inning, batting around to score five runs for a 6-1 lead. Matt Citro had a two-run single, Dave Lenig followed with an RBI single and Jordan Marsch ripped a two-run single.
The lead ballooned to 7-1 in the third when Matt Johanson blasted a lead-off home run.
Widener (25-13) got two back in the bottom of the inning for a 7-3 deficit. Sieracki was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and senior Tom Connelly (Media, PA) followed with a sacrifice fly.
Rowan restored the five-run margin in the sixth, getting a sacrifice fly from Lenig to score Marc Magliaro for an 8-3 margin.
The Pride began to make things interesting in the sixth with a run-scoring groundout from DeAngelis, the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year, and an RBI single from Sieracki for an 8-5 contest. But Ryan Peterson came on in relief for the Profs and shut the door, getting Connelly to ground out and end the rally.
Stranded runners were a big story for Widener, which left two on in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth innings. The squad left 12 runners on overall.
Royersford, PA native Jason Ferrie (8-3) permitted 10 runs – eight earned – and 11 hits over six innings with four strikeouts. Sieracki went 3-for-3 with three RBI and reached base all five
Mike Swietanski got the victory for the Profs, allowing five runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings with six walks and six strikeouts. Marsch had four hits and three RBI as part of Rowan, 15-hit attack.
The Commonwealth Conference champion Pride are in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in school history and first since winning the Middle Atlantic Conference in 1999. This was Widener's seventh straight NCAA Tournament game against a school from New Jersey, but its fifth consecutive loss.
Widener on Thursday continues play in the double-elimination regional at 1:15 pm against the loser of Wednesday's last game between No. 13 Kean and Manhattanville.
