Game 1 - Box Score
Game 2 - Box Score
NEWARK, NJ – The Rowan University softball team swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader over Rutgers-Newark, 4-0 and 11-4 on Saturday.
Rowan is 28-5 overall and 11-3 in the conference. Rutgers-Newark has a 5-31 record and a 0-14 NJAC mark.
In the first game, Rowan pitcher Jackie Sasko (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) threw a complete game. Sasko (17-2) only surrendered three hits and recorded six strikeouts. Pitcher Elena Morge (so. Cranford, NJ/Cranford) took the loss for Rutgers-Newark.
Rowan was led by right fielder Heidi Smith (so. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) with two hits (three at bats), a triple and two RBIs. Center fielder Kristina Brenner (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) added one hit in four at bats, a double and two runs scored. Rutgers-Newark catcher Nikki Spampinato (sr. Cranford, NJ/Cranford), right fielder Pico Rodriguez (sr. West New York, NJ/Memorial) and designated player Emily Ibarra (fr. Kearny, NJ/Kearny) each had one hit.
The Profs went ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Smith tripled in Brenner who reached base with a double. In the top of the seventh, pinch runner Loren Pashley (so. Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon) scored on an error and left fielder Casey Roselle (fr. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) came home on a passed ball. Brenner crossed the plate on a ground out by Smith.
In game two, pitcher Brianna Seckinger (fr. Churchville, PA/Council Rock S.) threw the first three innings, allowing two runs for her fifth win of the year. Amanda Riegel (sr. Millville, NJ/Sacred Heart) pitched the final four innings, giving up two runs and striking out five hitters. Pitcher Carrie McGuire (sr. East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park) took the loss for the Scarlet Raiders.
Smith went two for three with a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. Designated player Melanie Sura (jr. Linden, NJ/Linden) was three for four with a double, a triple, three RBIs and one run scored. Brenner contributed three hits (four at bats) and scored three times.
For Rutgers-Newark, catcher Shannon Davis (fr. Neptune, NJ/Neptune) was two for three with two RBIs. Right fielder Sam Weer (so. Willingboro, NJ/Life Center Academy) added two hits (four at bats) and one RBI. Spaminato went one for two with a double, one RBI and one run scored.
Rutgers-Newark went up 1-0 in the top of the first when Weer singled in second baseman Shauna Gallagher (sr. Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills). Rowan got three runs in the bottom of the first inning and two in the second. In the first, Smith tripled in Brenner and later scored on an error. Sura’s double plated third baseman Kristin Wallace (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.). Brenner scored on an error and Sura single brought Smith home in the second.
The Scarlet Raiders got one run in the third inning to make the score 5-2. Spaminato hit a double to left center field that scored Morge. The Profs added two runs in the fourth. Sura tripled in Smith and came home on an error. In the fifth, Davis hit a two RBI single to bring Rutgers-Newark within three (7-4). In the bottom half, pinch hitter Alyssa Glenn (so. Woodbridge, NJ/Bishop George Ahr) crossed home plate on an error, Smith sacrifice fly brought in first baseman Jenna DiDonato (so. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and Wallace singled in Brenner. Rowan tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when pinch hitter Jamie Parks (so. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) knocked in Pashley with a sacrifice fly.
Rowan hosts Rutgers-Camden in a NJAC doubleheader on Tuesday, April 22 at 3 p.m.
