Box Score

LITTLE FALLS, NJ –The Montclair State University softball team had a 2-1 win over Rowan University in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.

MSU is the top seed in the conference tournament with a 39-3 record. Rowan, the third seed, is 31-9 overall. The Profs will have to wait until Monday, May 5 to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

In the first game of the day, Kean University defeated William Paterson, 8-7 in eight innings. It was the Pioneers’ second loss of the tournament. The nightcap features number two Ramapo College against the fourth seed The College of New Jersey.

The double elimination tournament continues at Montclair State University on Saturday-Sunday, May 3-4. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Right hander Carolyn McCrea (sr. Wharton, NJ/Jefferson Twp.) pitched a complete game for the victory. McCrea (21-2), the NJAC Pitcher of the Year, scattered eight hits and only gave up one earned run. Third baseman Jackie Ferranti (sr. Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) went one for two with a home run, two RBIs and one run scored. Ferranti was named the conference’s Co-Player of the Year. Second baseman Megan Durkin (so. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) contributed with two hits (three at bats) and left fielder Leslie Gonzalez (fr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) scored one run.

Pitcher Jackie Sasko (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) took the loss. Sasko (19-4) threw six innings and struck out six. She was named to the NJAC All-Conference first team. Center fielder Kristina Brenner (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) went three for four with a triple and one run scored. Third baseman Kristin Wallace (sr. Glassboro, NJ/Washington Twp.) added a single (three at bats) and one RBI. Brenner and Wallace were All-Conference second team selections.

After two scoreless innings, the Red Hawks had a 2-0 lead when Ferranti recorded a two run homer in the bottom of the third. She scored Gonzalez who reached base with a single. The Profs’ run came in the fifth inning. Brenner led off with a triple and scored on a sac fly by Wallace.