Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (3-12, 0-3 NJAC) finally played their home opener but suffered an 11-3 defeat to Rowan University 16-2, 2-1 NJAC) on Thursday afternoon. Garrhet Reedy (Tinton Falls/Monmouth) led the Ospreys with three hits against the Profs, who are ranked #1 nationally by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III Baseball Poll as of April 3rd.
 
Rowan wasted no time in opening up a lead against starter Brandon Perna (Cherry Hill/CH West) as they batted around, plating four runs on six hits in the first inning for a 4-0 lead. Perna then settled down holding the Profs to just four hits and two runs over the next five frames.
 
Stockton made a short comeback in their half of the fifth inning. Down 5-0, the Ospreys scored three times to slice the margin to 5-3. Mike DeSenzo (Pompton Plains/Pequannock) walked, stole second and advanced to third on a Rico Viani (Monroe Twp./Monroe Twp.) infield hit. DeSenzo scored on a sacrifice fly by John Perrino (Wall/Wall) for one marker.
 
Reedy singled, and he and Viani advanced on a throwing error to put the runners at second and third. JJ Swentkowski (Egg Harbor Twp./EHT) scored both runners on a single to cut the Prof lead to 5-3, but the rally ended there and that was as close as Stockton would come. The visitors scored six more times over the final four innings for the 11-3 final.
 
Perna took the loss, tossing six innings and striking out six hitters before giving way to three relievers in the game. Four other Ospreys rapped one hit each in addition to Reedy's three safeties.
 
Justin Provost led Rowan with four hits in the 19-hit attack and smashed a home run. Alex Kokos had four RBI on the day in support of Andrew Cartier who picked up his third win of the season.
 
The Ospreys will travel to Glassboro to face Rowan once again in the home-and-home two game series. Game time is set for 3:30 pm.