Albright Box Score
Salisbury Box Score
SALISBURY, MD – The Rowan University softball team split its first two games of the season on Saturday. Rowan defeated Albright College, 13-2 (5 inn.) and lost to Salisbury University, 11-3 (5 inn.).
Against Albright, Rowan totaled 15 hits and 12 RBIs. Right-hander Erika Knorr (jr. Monroeville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) was the winning pitcher. In three innings, Knorr only allowed three hits and she had five strikeouts. Lefty Michelle Black (fr. West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) was on the mound for the final two innings. She gave up two hits and struck out two batters.
Designated player Ashley Landi (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) and third baseman Julie Leskanic (so. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) each had two hits and one run scored. Landi recorded two doubles and four RBIs, while Leskanic registered a triple and three RBIs. Center fielder Nicolina Veneziano (so. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) went three for four with three runs scored and one RBI on a solo homer. Shortstop Ashley Minch (so. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Mem.) contributed with two hits and first baseman Steph Labas (fr. Millville, NJ/Millville) added two RBIs and a home run.
In the bottom of the first, the Profs scored 11 runs to lead 11-1. Veneziano scored on a passed ball for the first run. Catcher Steph Taraschi (sr. Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) singled in one run and Landi followed with a two RBI double. Leskanic tripled in two runs and Labas blasted a two run homer to left field. Veneziano came home on a ground out with Minch at the plate. Landi drove in two runs with a double.
Rowan was ahead 12-1 after scoring one run in the third. Leskanic knocked in right fielder Heidi Smith (sr. Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) with a double. Albright’s second run came in the top of the fourth. In the bottom half, Veneziano recorded a lead off solo home run.
In the Salisbury game, Minch was one for one at the plate with two RBIs. Veneziano hit a triple to center field in the first inning and crossed the plate on a bunt single by Minch. The Profs’ final two runs came in the fourth. Minch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Labas came in. Landi had a RBI on a bases loaded walk.
The Profs are playing four games this weekend at Salisbury University because the Virginia Wesleyan Beach Blast Tournament was cancelled due to field conditions. On Sunday, Rowan faces Frostburg State University at 10 a.m. and Salisbury at 2 p.m.
