MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University softball team advanced in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament with an 8-0 win (six innings) over Richard Stockton College in the second round.

On Saturday in game seven, Rowan (22-16) will play William Paterson University (24-14) at 11 a.m. In game eight, Montclair State (35-5) faces the loser of game six between Ramapo College and Rutgers-Camden at 1:30 p.m. The winner of game eight meets the winner of game six at 4 p.m. The conference tournament continues on Sunday, May 6 at Montclair State. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.   

 

Right hander Amanda Riegel (jr. Millville, NJ/Sacred Heart) was the winning pitcher. Riegel (11-9) scattered five hits in six scoreless innings. It was her fourth shutout on the season. Kaitlyn Corica (fr. Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy) took the loss on the mound.

 

The Profs were led by third baseman Kristin Wallace (jr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) with two hits (four at bats), a home run, three RBIs and one run scored. Catcher Jen Lake (sr. Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove) and first baseman Jamie Assini (sr. Deptford, NJ/East Brunswick) each contributed with two hits and one RBI. Assini also scored three runs. Shortstop Sarah Carangelo (so. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) added one RBI and one run scored.

 

For the Ospreys, first baseman Melissa Kerr (sr. Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland) went two for three. Shortstop Samantha Horner (so. Newfield, NJ/Buena Reg.), catcher Suzanne Gorczynski (jr. Aberdeen, NJ/St. John Vianney) and third baseman Jessica Williams (sr. Bayville, NJ/Central Reg.) had one hit apiece. 

 

Rowan jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Wallace’s two run homer in the third inning. It was her sixth home run of the year. She scored Assini who got on base with a single. The Profs totaled three runs in the fourth. Assini singled in the first one and she scored on an error along with center fielder Kristina Brenner (so. Vineland, NJ/Vineland). 

 

Rowan added one more run in the fifth inning and two in the sixth. Carangelo had a RBI single, scoring designated player Kim Ryan (sr. Monmouth Jct., NJ/South Brunswick) in the fifth. Wallace’s single in the sixth brought home left fielder Stacy Haas (sr. Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.) and Lake drove in Assini with a single. 

 

The conference championship tournament results and schedule follows below.

 

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 8, #5 Richard Stockton 0 (six innings)                      (Richard Stockton eliminated)

Game 5 – #4 William Paterson 5, #1 Montclair State 4 (nine innings)

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

 

Sat., May 5 – at Montclair State

Game 7 – #6 Rowan vs. #4 William Paterson, 11 a.m.

Game 8 – #1 Montclair State vs. loser of game six, 1:30 p.m.

Game 9 – winner of game six vs. the winner of game 8, 4 p.m.

 

Sun., May 6 – at Montclair State (if two teams remain after game nine)

Game 10 – winner of game seven vs. winner of game 9, noon

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

 

Sun., May 6 – at Montclair State (if three teams remain after game nine)

Game 10 – winner game seven vs. loser game nine, noon

Game 11 – winner game nine vs. winner game 10, 2:30 p.m.