Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University softball team defeated William Paterson University, 2-1 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

The third seed Rowan (33-7) plays the fifth seed Kean University (24-17) in the next round on Friday, May 4 at 3 p.m.  The remainder of the NJAC Championship Tournament will be held at Montclair State University on Friday-Sunday, May 4-6. 

Left fielder Jennifer Arcella (so. Hillsdale, NJ/Pasack Valley) knocked in right fielder Lauren Davis (jr. Ewing, NJ/Ewing) with a double for the winning run in the bottom of seventh inning.  Davis led off with a walk and she went to second on a wild pitch.  With one out, Arcella’s game-winning hit went to right center field.  It was her eighth double on the year.   

In the other first round games, Kean shut out the second seed The College of New Jersey, 4-0.  The top seed Montclair State University had a 5-0 win over the sixth seed Ramapo College.  On Friday, Ramapo (26-12) faces The College of New Jersey (23-14) at 11 a.m.  Montclair State (36-5) meets William Paterson (30-11) at 1 p.m.  The tournament schedule for Saturday will be determined by the number of teams left after Friday’s games.  The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. 

Arcella ended the game with three hits in four at bats, two RBIs, a double and a triple.  Designated player Katie Trotter (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) contributed with a double and center fielder Megan Becker (sr. Collingdale, PA/Academy Park) had one hit.  Right fielder Lauren Davis (sr. Ewing, NJ/Ewing) went one for two with one run scored.  Catcher Nicolina Veneziano (sr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) scored one run.

Right-hander LeAnne Miller (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) threw three relief innings for the win.  She (17-1) did not give up a hit.  Righty Rachel Cannata (so. Waldwick, NJ/Paramus Catholic) took the loss.  Cannata (6-4) allowed two earned runs on six hits.

For the Pioneers, third baseman Jessica Maciolek (sr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) totaled two hits in three at bats and one RBI.  Second baseman Christina Austin (fr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) had one hit in three trips to the plate.

After three scoreless innings, William Paterson scored one run in the top of the fourth.  First baseman Jessica Phillips (fr. Woolwich, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) walked with one out.  She was replaced by pinch runner Laura Henriquez (so. Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.).  Henriquez stole second and came home on Maciolek’s single.  Rowan tied the score in fifth inning.  Veneziano reached base on a fielder’s choice.  Arcella plated Veneziano with a triple to right center fielder.

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., May 1 (at higher seeds) – double elimination tournament
Game 1:  #1 Montclair State University 5, #6 Ramapo College 0
Game 2:  #5 Kean University 4, #2 The College of New Jersey 0
Game 3:  #3 Rowan University 2, #4 William Paterson University 1

Fri., May 4 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 4:  #6 Ramapo College (26-12) vs. #2 The College of New Jersey (23-14), 11 a.m.
Game 5:  #1 Montclair State University (36-5) vs. #4 William Paterson University (30-11), 1 p.m.
Game 6:  #5 Kean University (24-17) vs. #3 Rowan University (33-7), 3 p.m.

IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 7:  winner game 5 vs. winner game 6
Game 8:  winner game 4 vs. loser game 6
Game 9:  loser game 7 vs. winner game 8

Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 10:  winner game 7 vs. winner game 9
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary)

IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 7:  loser game 5 vs. loser game 6
Game 8:  winner game 4 vs. winner game 5
Game 9:  winner game 6 vs. winner game 7

IF TWO TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 10:  winner game 8 vs. winner game 9
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary)

IF THREE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 10:  winner game 8 vs. loser game 9
Game 11:  winner game 9 vs. winner game 10