GLASSBORO, NJ – Shortstop Jennifer Jimenez recorded a two run homer to win the game for Montclair State University over Rowan University, 2-1 (eight innings) in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament. 

 

With one out, Jimenez (so. Linden, NJ/Linden) knocked in center fielder Maureen Shockley (jr. Magnolia, NJ/Triton Reg.) who got on base with a single. It was Jimenez’s 12^th home run on the season. Montclair State is the number one seed in the conference tournament while Rowan is the sixth seed.   

 

In the top of the eighth, Rowan had a 1-0 lead with catcher Jen Lake’s (sr. Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove) sacrifice fly that scored left fielder Stacy Haas (sr. Florence, NJ/Florence Twp. Mem.). Haas led off with a single and moved to second when first baseman Jamie Assini (sr. Deptford, NJ/East Brunswick) walked. A sac bunt by second baseman Lauren Navarro (jr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) moved the runners to second and third. Third baseman Kristin Wallace (jr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) was intentionally walked then Lake flied out to center field.  

 

In the second round on Friday, host Montclair State (35-4) will play William Paterson University (23-14) at 1:30 p.m. Rowan (21-16) meets Richard Stockton College (24-13) at 11 a.m. In the nightcap, Ramapo College (29-6) faces Rutgers-Camden (28-13) at 4 p.m. The double elimination tournament continues Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 at Montclair State University. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. 

 

Wallace ended the day with three hits (three at bats) and one double. Haas went one for three with one run scored. For MSU, Shockley had three hits in four at bats and one run scored while Jimenez went one for three.

 

Red Hawks’ pitcher Carolyn McCrea (jr. Wharton, NJ/Jefferson Twp.) and Profs’ pitcher Amanda Riegel (jr. Millville, NJ/Sacred Heart) both only gave up four hits. McCrea is 27-3 on the season. Riegel, 10-9, had five strikeouts.

 

The conference championship tournament results and schedule follows below.

 

 2007 NJAC Softball Championship Tournament

Tue., May 1 – at campus sites

Game 1 - #1 Montclair State 2, #6 Rowan 1 (eight innings)

Game 2 - #2 Ramapo 3, #5 Richard Stockton 2

Game 3 - #3 Rutgers-Camden 4, #4 William Paterson 1

 

Fri., May 4 – at Montclair State

Game 4 – #6 Rowan vs. #5 Richard Stockton, 11 a.m.

Game 5 – #1 Montclair State vs. #4 William Paterson, 1:30 p.m.

Game 6 – #2 Ramapo vs. #3 Rutgers-Camden, 4 p.m.

 

Sat., May 5 – at Montclair State (pairings are determined by the number of teams remaining after Friday)

Game 7 – TBA, 11 a.m.

Game 8 – TBA, 1:30 p.m.

Game 9 – TBA, 4 p.m.

 

Sun., May 6 – at Montclair State

Game 10 – TBA, noon

Game 11 – if necessary, same teams as game 10, 2:30 p.m.