Wilkes Game - Box Score
Neumann Game - Box Score
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The Rowan University softball team started the 2008 season at the Virginia Wesleyan College Beach Blast on Friday. Rowan won its first game against Wilkes University, 3-0 and the second over Neumann College, 9-3.
In the first game, right hander Jackie Sasko (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) was the winning pitcher. Sasko pitched a complete game for the shutout and only gave up one hit. She struck out eight batters. Third baseman Kristin Wallace (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) went two for two and had one run scored. Center fielder Kristina Brenner (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) posted two hits (four at bats) and a double. Right fielder Heidi Smith (so. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) compiled three hits in four at bats and two RBIs.
The Profs had a total of nine hits. Rowan scored one run in the third, fifth and sixth innings. In the third, Wallace got on base with a walk and later scored on a ground out. Brenner doubled and crossed home plate on Smith’s single in the fifth inning. Pinch runner Loren Pashley (so. Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon) scored the final run in the sixth. She replaced catcher Stephanie Taraschi (so. Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) who had a walk. Pashley came home on a single by Smith.
Against Neumann, Amanda Riegel (sr. Millville, NJ/Sacred Heart) pitched five innings for the victory. Brianna Seckinger (fr. Churchville, PA/Council Rock S.) was on the mound for the last two innings. Catcher Melanie Sura (jr. Linden, NJ/Linden) recorded a three run homer in the fourth inning. First baseman Sarah Carangelo (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) contributed with three hits (four at bats), two RBIs and two runs scored. Smith had a solo home run in the sixth inning.
Originally Rowan was scheduled to play host Virginia Wesleyan on Friday but the pairings were changed because of field problems. The closing of one of the parks forced the tournament director to rearrange the schedule.
Rowan’s game times on Saturday were also changed. The softball team will play Moravian College at noon and the University of Rochester at 2 p.m.
