Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University softball team held on for a 3-2 win over William Paterson University in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

In the other first round games, number six Richard Stockton College upset the top seed The College of New Jersey, 2-1. The fifth seed Kean University had a 2-1 win in eight innings over the second seed Ramapo College. Rowan is the third seed while William Paterson is seeded fourth.

The double elimination tournament continues on Friday, May 7 through Sunday, May 9 at The College of New Jersey. On Friday, Rowan (27-11) plays Kean University (26-14) at 3 p.m. In the first game, TCNJ (30-7) faces Ramapo College (27-14) at 11 a.m. followed by Richard Stockton (22-13) against William Paterson (26-14-1) at 1 p.m.

Right-hander Jamie Minix (so. Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) was the winning pitcher. Minix (17-5) scattered six hits and gave up two earned runs. She struck out four batters. Righty Michele Graham (so. Hawthorne, NJ/Hawthorne) allowed six hits and three earned runs.

Profs’ second baseman Jenna DiDonato (sr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) contributed with one hit (three at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Center fielder Nicolina Veneziano (so. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) contributed with one hit in three at bats and one RBI. First baseman Stephanie Labas (fr. Millville, NJ/Millville) added a RBI with a double. Third baseman Julie Leskanic (so. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) was one for three with one run scored and a double. Shortstop Ashley Minch (so. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Mem.) and pinch hitter Ashley Landi (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) chipped in with one hit apiece.

For the Pioneers, second baseman Lindsey Nadolny (jr. Belford, NJ/Middletown N.) was two for three with one run scored. Pinch hitters Kelsey Hand (fr. Mountainville, NY/Cornwall Central) and Alexa Veniero (fr. Belleville, NJ/Belleville) each tallied one RBI. Center fielder Christina Zippler (sr. Blackwood, NJ/Washington Twp.) had one hit in three trips to the plate and one run scored.

All three of Rowan’s runs came in the bottom of the third inning. Leskanic led off with double to left center field. Labas followed with a double, scoring Leskanic. Pinch runner Lauren Davis (so. Ewing, NJ/Ewing) replaced Labas at second.

Left fielder Casey Roselle (jr. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) moved Davis to third with a sac bunt. DiDonato knocked in Davis with a single to left center field. Veneziano had a RBI single that brought home DiDonato.

William Paterson rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh. Zippler started with a single to left field. With one out, Nadolny and shortstop Lacey Santone (sr. S. Plainfield, NJ/S. Plainfield) recorded back-to-back singles. Hand plated Zippler with a single to left center field. Veniero drove in Nadolny on a fielder’s choice. Minix recorded a strikeout for the Pioneers’ third out.

The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. The NJAC Softball Championship Tournament schedule is below. Tickets are: $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.

Tue., May 4 – NJAC First Round Results
Game 1: #6 Richard Stockton 2, #1 The College of New Jersey 1
Game 2: #5 Kean University 2, #2 Ramapo College 1 (8 inn.)
Game 3: #3 Rowan University 3, #4 William Paterson University 2

Fri., May 7 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 4: #1 The College of New Jersey (30-7) vs. #2 Ramapo College (27-14), 11 a.m.
Game 5: #6 Richard Stockton (22-13) vs. #4 Wm. Paterson (26-14-1), 1 p.m.
Game 6: #5 Kean University (26-14) vs. #3 Rowan University (27-11), 3 p.m.

IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 8 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 10 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, noon
Game 9: loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 2 p.m.

Sun., May 9 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA

IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 8 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 7: loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 10 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, noon
Game 9: winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 2 p.m.

IF TWO TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:

Sun., May 9 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA

IF THREE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:

Sun., May 9 (TCNJ Lions’ Park)
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11: winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 1 p.m.