Box Score
MONTCLAIR, NJ – Third seeded Rowan University defeated the fifth seed Kean University, 3-2 in eight innings in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Softball Championship Tournament on Friday afternoon.
In the top of the eighth, designated player Katie Trotter (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) reached on a fielder’s choice. She moved to second on a wild pitch. Third baseman Julie Leskanic (sr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford) and center fielder Megan Becker (sr. Collingdale, PA/Academy Park) had back-to-back singles to load the bases. Second baseman Nicole Escudero (jr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) hit into a fielder’s choice and Trotter was thrown out at home. With two outs, right fielder Lauren Davis (sr. Ewing, NJ/Ewing) walked and Leskanic scored the winning run.
The double elimination tournament continues on Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 at Montclair State University. On Saturday, Rowan (34-7) will face top seeded Montclair State (37-5) at 10 a.m. Kean (24-18) plays the second seed The College of New Jersey (24-14) at noon. The loser of the Rowan/Montclair State game plays the winner of the Kean/TCNJ contest at 2 p.m.
Also in the second round on Friday, The College of New Jersey defeated the sixth seed Ramapo College (26-13), 2-0 and Montclair State had a 1-0 win over the fourth seed William Paterson University (30-12). Ramapo and William Paterson have been eliminated.
Right-hander LeAnne Miller (jr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) earned the win in relief. She (18-1) only allowed one run on four hits in 4.2 innings. Righty Courtney Yard (fr. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) took the loss. She (18-12) gave up three earned runs on 11 hits in eight innings.
Profs’ first baseman Stephanie Labas (jr. Millville, NJ/Millville) went two for four with a home run. It was her 10th homer of the season, which broke the school record. The previous mark of nine was held by Jami Musey (1997) and catcher Nicolina Veneziano (sr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) (2010). Leskanic posted three hits (four at bats) and two runs scored. Davis registered two hits (three at bats) and one RBI. Veneziano was one for four with one RBI.
For the Cougars, right fielder Megan Cegielski (so. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) produced three hits (four at bats) and one run scored. Second baseman Katie Schuh (jr. Mt. Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) added two hits (three at bats), one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Kelly Moorehead (so. Hicksville, NY/Hicksville) contributed with one hit (four at bats) and one RBI.
Kean went ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning. With one out, Schuh singled up the middle. She advanced to third on left fielder Sandra Binkiewicz’s (so. Belleville, NJ/Belleville) single. Moorehead followed with a base hit to right center allowing Schuh to score. Rowan tied the game (1-1) in the top of the fifth. Leskanic led off with a single. She moved to second on a sacrifice hit by pinch hitter Shannon Costello (fr. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) and went to third on Davis’ infield single. Veneziano drove in Leskanic with a single to center field.
The Cougars went up, 2-1 in the bottom half. Cegielski singled and advanced to second on a ground out. With two outs, Schuh ripped a single down the left field line and Cegielski crossed the plate. Labas hit a solo home run to center field in the sixth, tying the score (2-2).
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: #2 The College of New Jersey 2, #6 Ramapo College 0
(Ramapo is eliminated.)
Game 5: #1 Montclair State University 1, #4 William Paterson University 0
(William Paterson is eliminated.)
Game 6: #3 Rowan University 3, #5 Kean University 2 (8 inn.)
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 7: #1 Montclair State University (37-5) vs. #3 Rowan University (34-7), 10 a.m.
Game 8: #2 The College of New Jersey (24-14) vs. #5 Kean University (24-17), noon
Game 9: loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 2 p.m.
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Stadium)
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
