Hiram Box Score
Simpson Box Score
KISSIMMEE, FL – The Rowan University softball team went 1-1 on the first day of the Rebel Spring Games. The Profs lost to Hiram College (OH), 3-2 and defeated Simpson College (IA), 3-1 in nine innings.
Hiram (9-2) pitcher Whitney Dropsey earned the win in the first contest. She tossed a complete game, allowed two earned runs. Rowan pitcher Amanda Singer (so. Monmouth Jct., NJ/E. Brunswick) took the loss (0-3). She gave up three runs in 5.1 innings.
For Rowan, second baseman Jenna DiDonato (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) went one for four with one RBI, one run scored and a double. Designated player Jackie Sasko (sr. Groveville, NJ/Steinert) added one hit (three at bats), one RBI and a double. Left fielder Casey Roselle (so. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) chipped in with two hits in two trips to the plate.
Rowan went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. First baseman Nicki Veneziano (fr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) led off with a single. DiDonato followed with a double that brought Veneziano home. Sasko’s double knocked in DiDonato. Hiram tied the game with two runs in the top of the fourth. Pinch runner Ashley Crowder crossed the plate on a bases loaded walk. Outfielder Kristen Cooney drove in third baseman Ashley Pike with a single. In the top of the sixth, Terriers’ catcher Jena Ervin came home on a bases loaded walk for the winning run.
Versus Simpson (14-6), Sasko threw a complete game for the win (2-1). She recorded five strikeouts. Pitcher Whitney Oviatt was the losing pitcher for the Storm. She posted 11 strikeouts and gave up two earned runs in nine innings.
Rowan (2-4) shortstop Alissa Francisco (fr. West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Reg.) went one for three with two RBIs and a triple. Right fielder Heidi Smith (jr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) contributed with two hits (four at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Roselle was two for two at the plate.
After eight scoreless innings, DiDonato started on second base for the Profs in the top of the ninth because of the international tie-breaker rule. Sasko had a bunt single that moved DiDonato to third. Smith followed with a single to the pitcher that brought DiDonato home and moved pinch runner Loren Pashley (jr. Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon) to third. Smith stole second base. Francisco’s triple plated Pashley and Smith. In the bottom half, outfielder Kelsie Host started on second base and moved to third on a ground out. Catcher Keri Sorensen drove Host in with a single.
On Sunday, March 15, Rowan plays Framingham State College (MA) at 1 p.m. and Trinity College (CT) at 5 p.m.
