oSQL results in bat file to variable

I am trying to run a osql query and put the results into a DOS variable. The query is only a select @@rowcount after a select into a temp. I want to send a postie if the DOS variable is > 0 . can this be done?
I can currenly output to a text file and if the errorlevel is NOT -101 then I postie the results. I can do this using the exit(query) parameter. When I do I get :
sql: Error converting exit value
Either way would work for me. the way I am doing it - if I can get rid of the error OR by putting the results into a dos variable...any thoughts?