Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Kean University softball team defeated Rowan University, 8-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Saturday.
Kean (27-16-1), the sixth seed, will play the second seed Montclair State University (40-3) in the championship on Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. It was the Profs’ second loss in the double elimination tournament. Rowan (37-7) will find out on Monday, May 6 if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament
Right-hander Courtney Yard (so. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) recorded her second win on the day. She (19-12) gave up three earned runs and had seven strikeouts. Righty Beth Ann Hyland (fr. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) took the loss. She (2-2) threw 3.1 innings and allowed five runs, two earned.
Right fielder Megan Cegielski (jr. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) was three for four with two runs scored. Center fielder Sandra Binkiewicz (jr. Belleville, NJ/Belleville) contributed with two hits (four at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Catcher Jill Martin (jr. Hazlet, NJ/Hazlet) had a home run and two RBIs. Second baseman Katie Schuh (sr. Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) added one hit and two runs scored. Yard chipped in with one RBI. Third baseman Courtney Melchionna (sr. Linden, NJ/Linden) registered one hit and one RBI. Shortstop Kelly Moorehead (jr. Hicksville, NY/Hicksville) had one hit and scored two runs.
For the Profs, designated player/pitcher Krysti Maronski (jr. Woodbury Heights, NJ/GCIT) collected two hits (four at bats), one RBI and one run scored. Right fielder Katie Bussman (so. Brick, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) went three for three with one RBI. Third baseman Jess Phillips (so. Woolwich, NJ/Delsea Reg.) produced one hit and one RBI. Left fielder Jennifer Arcella (jr. Hillsdale, NJ/Pascack Valley) scored one run. Catcher Meagan Lee (jr. Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) had one hit and one run scored.
Rowan scored one run in the top of the first inning and Kean followed with three in the bottom half. Maronski had a single up the middle that scored Arcella. Schuh and Binkiewicz both crossed the plate on an error for the Cougars. Melchionna drove in Moorhead with a single through the right side.
Kean led 7-1 after scoring two runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Rowan had two runs in the sixth inning. Maronski came home on a single by Bussman and Lee scored on a ground out with Phillips at bat. In the bottom of the sixth, Binkiewicz singled home Cegielski.
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 5, #5 William Paterson University 1 (William Paterson eliminated)
Game 5: #1 Rowan University 6, #4 Richard Stockton College 3 (Richard Stockton eliminated)
Game 6: #2 Montclair State University 4, #3 The College of New Jersey 2
Sat., May 4 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 7: #2 Montclair State University 2, #1 Rowan University 0
Game 8: #6 Kean University 7, #3 The College of New Jersey 2 (8 inn.) (TCNJ eliminated)
Game 9: #6 Kean University 8, #1 Rowan University 3 (Rowan eliminated)
Sun., May 5 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 10: #2 Montclair State (40-3) vs. #6 Kean University (27-16-1), 11 a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA
