Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University softball team shut out Montclair State University, 3-0 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

The Profs, the number one seed, have a 31-8 record while the sixth seed Red Hawks are 23-16 overall. The remainder of the double elimination tournament will be held at Rowan on Friday-Sunday, May 1-3. On Friday, Rowan plays number four Ramapo College at 1:30 p.m. and prior Montclair State meets the fifth seed Kean University at 11 a.m.

Rowan right-hander Jackie Sasko (sr. Groveville, NJ/Steinert) only gave up two hits for her 11th shutout on the season. Sasko (18-3) recorded 11 strikeouts. Lefty Kelly Karp (sr. Edison, NJ/Edison) took the loss for Montclair State. Karp (11-9) allowed four hits and three runs, one was earned.

Catcher Steph Taraschi (jr. Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) was two for two with one run scored for the Profs. First baseman Nicki Veneziano (fr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) contributed with a triple and one RBI. Second baseman Jenna DiDonato (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) added one RBI. Designated player Ashley Landi (so. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) and left fielder Casey Roselle (so. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) each scored one run.

For the Red Hawks, second baseman Megan Durkin (jr. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) went one for two at the plate. Karp had one hit, a double, in two at bats.

The Profs went up 2-0 in the second inning. Landi scored the first run on a passed ball then Roselle came home on a ground out with DiDonato earning the RBI. Veneziano’s triple plated Taraschi in the fifth inning.

Tickets for the conference tournament are: $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

The NJAC Softball Championship Tournament schedule is below. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.

Tue,, April 28 (at higher seeds)
Game 1: #1 Rowan 3, #6 Montclair State 0
Game 2: #2 William Paterson 3, #5 Kean 0
Game 3: #3 The College of NJ 2, #4 Ramapo 1 (8 inn.)

Fri., May 1 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 4: #6 Montclair State (23-16) vs. #5 Kean (19-18), 11 a.m.
Game 5: #1 Rowan (31-8) vs. #4 Ramapo (25-10), 1:30 p.m.
Game 6: #3 The College of NJ (24-15) vs. #2 William Paterson (30-7), 4 p.m.

IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 2 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, 1:30 p.m.
Game 9: loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 4:00 p.m.

Sun., May 3 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.

IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 2 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 7: loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 11:00 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, 1:30 p.m.
Game 9: winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 4:00 p.m.

IF TWO TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:

Sun., May 3 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, noon
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.

IF THREE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:

Sun., May 3 (Rowan University Softball Complex)
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, noon
Game 11: winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 2:30 p.m.