Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – Catcher Meagan Lee’s two-run homer led Rowan University over Kean University, 3-1 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Softball Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

On Friday, Rowan (36-5), the top seed, plays the fourth seed Richard Stockton College (30-10) at 1 p.m.  In the other first round games, number two Montclair State University defeated the fifth seed William Paterson University, 4-2 and the third seed The College of New Jersey had a 3-0 shutout against Richard Stockton.

Rowan will host the remainder of the NJAC Championship Tournament on Friday-Sunday, May 3-5.  Tickets are: $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children.  The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Right-hander LeAnne Miller (sr. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) was the winning pitcher.  She (20-2) gave up five hits and one unearned run.  Miller struck out five batters.  Righty Courtney Yard (so. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) had the loss.  Yard (15-12) allowed four hits and three earned runs.

Lee (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) was one for three with two RBIs.  Third baseman Jess Phillips (so. Woolwich, NJ/Kingsway Reg.) added a double and one RBI.  Center fielder Shannon Costello (so. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) chipped in with one hit and one run scored.  Pinch runner Christina Lee (fr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) scored one run.

For the Cougars, right fielder Megan Cegielski (jr. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) produced three hits in four at bats.  Center fielder Sandra Binkiewicz (jr. Belleville, NJ/Belleville) registered one RBI.  Catcher Jill Martin (jr. Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) contributed with one hit (two at bats) and one run scored.

Kean got on the scoreboard in the third inning.  Martin led off with a single to left field and went to second on a sac bunt by left fielder Kelsey Hannan (sr. Saddle Brook, NJ/Immaculate Conception).  Cegielski loaded the bases with a bunt single.  Binkiewicz reached base on an error, scoring Martin.

The Profs took the lead 2-1 in the fourth inning.  With two outs, designated player Ashley DeYoung (fr. Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) walked and was replaced by Christina Lee.  Meagan Lee followed with a home run to left field.  It was her second homer on the season.  Rowan added one run in the fifth.  Phillips had a double to left center that scored Costello who led off with a single. 

This is Rowan’s 24th appearance in the NJAC Championship Tournament and 10th straight.  The Profs have captured the conference title seven times (2012, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1983).  Last year, Rowan defeated Montclair State, 3-1 in the final game of the conference tournament.  Kean captured the NJAC Championship two straight years (2011, 2010).

TCNJ has won the NJAC championship 11 times while Richard Stockton has yet to win the conference title. The Lions’ last championship came in 2000.  William Paterson has won the conference championship four times and Montclair State has three.

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., April 30 (at higher seeds)
Game 1:  #1 Rowan University 3,  #6 Kean University 1
Game 2:  #2 Montclair State University 4, #5 William Paterson University 2
Game 3:  #3 The College of New Jersey 3, #4 Richard Stockton College 0

Fri., May 3 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 4:  #6 Kean University (24-16-1) vs. #5 William Paterson University (19-20), 11 a.m.
Game 5:  #1 Rowan University (36-5) vs. #4 Richard Stockton College (30-10), 1 p.m.
Game 6:  #2 Montclair State University (38-3) vs. #3 The College of New Jersey (26-11), 3 p.m.

IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 4 (Rowan University Softball Field)
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 5 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA

IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:

Sat., May 4 (Rowan University Softball Field)
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 5 (Rowan University Softball Field)
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 5 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 1 p.m.