Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University softball team advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship game.  The Profs defeated William Paterson University, 10-4 and Ramapo College, 2-1 on Saturday.   
 
The final two games of the conference tournament will be held at Rowan on May 3.  #2 Ramapo College (26-12-1) plays #5 Kean University (25-10-1) at 11 a.m.  The winner meets the top seed Rowan (36-5) in the championship game at 1 p.m. 
 
The Profs scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the victory against Ramapo.  With one out, designated player Sara Finnegan (so. South Brunswick, NJ/South Brunswick) had a single to right field.  She was replaced by pinch runner Sierra Machinski (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.).  Right fielder Sammy Vradenburg (so. Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) reached base on an error and Machinski went to third.  Vradenburg stole second.  Pinch hitter Amanda Toomer (sr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) grounded out, scoring Machinski and Vradenburg followed on a throwing error.
 
Right-hander Beth Ann Hyland (jr. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) was the winning pitcher.  She (17-3) only allowed four hits and one earned run.  Righty Katrina Buczkowski (fr. Buffalo, NY/Claremont) suffered the loss.  She (13-6) gave up four hits and two unearned runs.
 
The Roadrunners scored their run in the top of the sixth.  Second baseman Kim LaPenta (sr. Rockaway, NJ/Butler) singled home shortstop Nicole Hernandez (so. Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock).  Center fielder Jaclyn Lima (sr. Linden, NJ/Linden) produced two hits in two at bats.   
 
Right-hander Ashley Lesch (fr. Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) was the winning pitcher against William Paterson.  In 4.2 relief innings, she (6-1) scattered six hits and gave up two earned runs.  Righty Gabrielle Castelli (so. Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) had the loss (10-5). 
 
Shortstop Shilah Snead (jr. Malaga, NJ/Delsea Reg.) totaled four hits (five at bats), three RBIs, a home run and three runs scored.  Second baseman Alysa Romero (sr. Newfield, NJ/Vineland) produced four hits, three RBIs and two runs.  She recorded one double for 19 on the season, which tied the school record.  The mark is shared by Melissa Comparri (1993) and Casey Roselle (2011). 
 
First baseman Damariz Mercado (so. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) contributed with two hits, a homer and two RBIs.  Center fielder Shannon Costello (sr. East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) and Finnegan each chipped in with two hits.  Finnegan tallied one double and Toomer drove in one run. 
 
For William Paterson, right fielder Nicole Fryer (so. East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg S.) was two-for-three with two RBIs and a triple.  Designated player Sam Rothenberger (fr. Livingston, NJ/Livingston) registered two doubles, two RBIs and one run.  Pitcher Meghan Stanton (so. Chesterfield, NJ/Northern Burlington County Reg.) had two hits in two at bats.
 
The Profs got on the scoreboard with a RBI single by Romero in the first inning.  The Pioneers went ahead with two runs in the top of the second.  Rothenberger doubled in one run while Fryer had a RBI triple.  Rowan took the lead 3-2 with two runs in the bottom half.  Romero knocked in both runs with a single up the middle.  Toomer had a RBI single in the third for a 4-2 advantage.  Rowan tacked on two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth.  Mercado recorded a two-run homer in the fourth.  In the fifth, Romero scored on an error. 
 
William Paterson scored two runs in the sixth and trailed 7-4.  Rothenberger's double scored one run and Fryer had a RBI base hit to left field.  In Rowan's half of the inning, Snead smashed a three-run home run to center field.
 
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students, senior citizens and children.  The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
The NJAC Softball Championship Tournament schedule is below. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at students, senior citizens and children. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. 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 28 (at higher seeds)
Game 1:  1 Rowan University 1, #6 Rutgers-Camden 0
Game 2:  #2 Ramapo College 8, #5 Kean University 2
Game 3:  #3 Wm. Paterson University 5, #4 The College of New Jersey 0

Fri., May 1 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 4:  #5 Kean University 2, #6 Rutgers-Camden 0 (Rutgers-Camden is eliminated.)
Game 5:  #4 The College of New Jersey 2, #1 Rowan University 1
Game 6:  #2 Ramapo College 3,  #3 Wm. Paterson University 1

Sat., May 2 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 7:  #1 Rowan University 10, #3 William Paterson University 4 (WP is eliminated.)
Game 8:  #5 Kean University 9, #4 The College of New Jersey 3 (TCNJ is eliminated.)
Game 9: #1 Rowan University 2, #2 Ramapo College 1

Sun., May 3 (Rowan University Softball Field)
Game 10:  #5 Kean University (25-10-1) vs. #2 Ramapo College (26-12-1), 11 a.m.
Game 11:  #1 Rowan University vs. winner game 10, 1 p.m.