MCLA box score
Millikin box score

KISSIMMEE, FL – The Rowan University softball team split two contests at the Rebel Spring Games on Tuesday. Rowan won the first game over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 7-1 and lost the second to Millikin University (IL), 4-1.

Against MCLA, lefty Michelle Black (fr. West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) went the last four innings for the victory. Black (2-2) scattered three hits and struck out three batters. Right-hander Erika Knorr (jr. Monroeville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) started the game and only allowed two hits. She had four strikeouts.

First baseman Stephanie Labas (fr. Millville, NJ/Millville) was one for two with three RBIs, two runs scored and a home run. Center fielder Nicolina Veneziano (so. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) contributed with two hits (three at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Right fielder Heidi Smith (sr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) and left fielder Casey Roselle (jr. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) each added two hits. Second baseman Jenna DiDonato (sr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert), catcher Steph Taraschi (sr. Mt. Ephriam, NJ/Audubon) and pinch hitter Nicole Escudero (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) registered one RBI apiece.

For the Trailblazers (1-5), shortstop Kate Ouellette had two hits in three at bats. Right fielder Kendra Hobbs drove in the lone run and first baseman Hadley Ameen had one run scored. Sarah Greenwood was the losing pitcher. She gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs.

Rowan went up 3-0 after scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning and two in the second. Taraschi had a RBI triple that scored Veneziano for the first run. In the second inning, Veneziano singled in Labas and third baseman Julie Leskanic (so. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) crossed the plate on a sac fly by DiDonato. MCLA’s lone run came in the third on Hobbs’ single that scored Ameen. In the bottom half, Labas recorded a three run homer for a 6-1 lead. The Profs’ final run came in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Escudero.

Millikin’s Whitney Schafman pitched a complete game for the win in the second game. Schafman (3-1) only gave up three hits and she fanned 13 batters. She also had two hits in four at bats, one RBI and a double. Left fielder Caitlin Reed was one for two with two RBIs. Designated player Colleen Bryan recorded a solo home run. The Big Blue has a 7-3 record.

For the Profs (6-4), shortstop Ashley Minch (so. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Mem.) was one for two at the plate with one run scored. Leskanic had one hit (two at bats) and one RBI. Smith added one hit in three at bats. Righty Jamie Minix (so. Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) took the loss.

Rowan got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning. Minch reached base with a walk and later crossed the plate on Leskanic’s single. In the bottom half, Millikin took the lead with three runs. Bryan led off with a solo home run and Reed singled in two runs. The Big Blue’s final run came in the sixth. Schafman drove in left fielder Whitney Potter with a double.

The Profs continue their spring trip on Wednesday, March 17 against Skidmore College (NY) and Anderson University (IN) at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.