GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University softball team split a conference doubleheader with Richard Stockton College on Thursday. Rowan won the first game, 9-2 and Stockton came back to take the second, 2-1. 

 

In the first game, Rowan catcher Jen Lake (sr. Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove) recorded a grand slam. Right fielder Heidi Smith (fr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) went two for four with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored. Second baseman Lauren Navarro (jr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) contributed with two hits (three at bats) and two runs scored. Right hander Amanda Riegel (jr. Millville, NJ/Sacred Heart) pitched a complete game for her eighth victory. Riegel (8-5) scattered four hits and struck out five.  

 

For Stockton, first baseman Melissa Kerr (sr. Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland) went one for three with a double and two RBIs. Second baseman Rianna Vanchure (sr. Manchester, NJ/Mancester) had one hit (two at bats) and scored one run. Pitcher Jessica Ricciuti (so. Toms River, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) took the loss. 

 

In the first inning, Stockton went up 2-0 on Kerr’s double that scored shortstop Samantha Horner (so. Newfield, NJ/Buena Reg.) and Vanchure. Lake’s grand slam put the Profs up 4-2 in the bottom half. She knocked in first baseman Jamie Assini (sr. Deptford, NJ/East Brunswick), Navarro and third baseman Kristin Wallace (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) who all got on base with a single. 

 

Rowan had two more runs in the third inning. Smith had a two run homer to left field, the first of her collegiate career. Navarro doubled in the sixth and came home on an error with Wallace at the plate. Smith had her third RBI with a single, scoring Wallace. Pinch hitter Stephanie Taraschi (fr. Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) scored Smith with a single. 

 

In the second game, Stockton scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Right fielder Lindsay Connell (so. Rahway, NJ/Rahway) singled in left fielder Barb Kutch (jr. Mt. Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) who led off with a double to center field. Designated player Kelly Dodd (fr. Linwood, NJ/Mainland Reg.) reached base on an error that moved Kutch to third. Pinch hitter Melissa Baumgartner (so. Mt. Ephriam, NJ/Audubon) was intentionally walked to load the bases before Connell’s game ending hit.

 

Kutch finished the game with two hits (three bats), both doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Connell went two for three with a double and one RBI. Third baseman Jessica Williams (sr. Bayville, NJ/Central Reg.) had one hit in three at bats and scored one run.   Kaitlyn Corica (fr. Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy) went the distance on the mound for her seventh win. Corica (7-3) only gave up five hits. 

 

Navarro went two for four while Smitth had one hit and one RBI. Pitcher Danielle Lawlor (jr. Fair Lawn, NJ/Fair Lawn) gave up five hits and two earned runs in six innings. 

 

Rowan got on the scoreboard first with one run in the top of the second inning. Smith’s single scored pinch runner Loren Pashley (fr. Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon). Pashley replaced Lake who led off the inning with a walk. The Ospreys tied the score in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Williams singled to right field and scored on a double by Kutch.

 

The Profs are 17-9 overall and 5-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Ospreys have a 17-7 record with a 4-4 conference mark. Rowan takes a break from its conference schedule to host Gwynedd-Mercy College on Thursday, April 12 at 3 p.m. Richard Stockton hosts John Jay College on Thursday, April 12 at 3 p.m.