Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (9-10, 7-8 NJAC) rallied late, but the surge fell just short to Rowan University (16-3, 14-1 NJAC) by an 8-6 score on Thursday afternoon.  John Perrino (Wall/Wall) led the 12-hit attack with three safeties on the day.

The Profs jumped on Ospreys starter Phil DeMarco (Ocean Twp./Ocean Twp.) for three runs in the top of the first inning, before the senior would settle in for Stockton. DeMarco tossed the first five innings in the contest, but did not figure in the decision.

The Ospreys sliced the margin to 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning. RBI by Luke Fabrizzi (Old Bridge/Old Bridge) and Jay Marchese (East Brunswick/East Brunswick) gave Stockton some life.

Rowan answered with a pair of markers the next inning for a 5-2 margin. Both teams plated a run in the sixth frame to give the Profs a 6-3 lead, before Stockton rallied to knot the game in the next inning.

In the bottom half of the seventh frame, singles by Ryan O'Sullivan (Lacey Twp./Donovan Catholic) and Perrino put runners on. Fabrizzi reached on an error loading the bases for Marchese. His walk plated O'Sullivan, then freshman Sam Nieves (South Plainfield/South Plainfield) knotted the game with a two-run single to make it 6-6.

After a scoreless eighth inning, Rowan took the game with a pair of runs in their half of the last stanza. Stockton was unable to answer and the final score was set at 8-6 in favor of the visitors.

Marco Meleo (Freehold Twp./Freehold Boro), Fabrizzi and Nieves all contributed two hits to the attack, with Nieves driving in three runs in the game.

Andrew Luongo (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) came on in relief of DeMarco and tossed three scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts to help Stockton get back in the game.

The Ospreys next game will be tomorrow afternoon, when Stockton will travel to Glassboro to face Rowan to finish up the home-and-home series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30pm.