Box Score UNION, NJ – The Kean University softball team edged Rowan University, 3-2 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday. The remainder of the conference tournament will be held in Union on Friday-Sunday, May 5-7.
The Profs (31-8), seeded fourth, play number one Ramapo College (28-7) in the second round on Friday at 4 p.m. The NJAC Championship Tournament is double elimination. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. For the latest scores and schedule updates for the conference tournament go to
this link.
The Cougars (30-7) are seeded third in the postseason. In the other first round games, Ramapo defeated the sixth seed Montclair State University, 3-2 in nine innings. The second seed William Paterson had a 6-3 victory against the fifth seed Stockton University.
Center fielder Dana Knapp (sr. Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy) recorded a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Kean the 3-2 victory. She blasted the home run to left field and shortstop Cayleen Rizo (so. Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) also rounded the bases.
Right fielder Caroline Ratti (so. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) contributed with one hit and one RBI. Catcher Samantha Krakower (so. Palisades Park, NJ/Immaculate Conception) had two hits in three at bats. Third baseman Amanda Berezny (sr. Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) scored one run.
Right-hander Shannon McMahon (sr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) went the distance on the mound for the win. She (19-2) only gave up two runs on eight hits. Rookie pitcher
Lauren Shannon (fr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) suffered the loss.
For Rowan, designated player
Morgan Smith (jr. Millsboro, DE/Sussex Central) produced two hits and one RBI. Center fielder
Gianna Genello (so. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) had one hit and scored one run. Pitcher
Jesse DeDomenico (fr. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) tallied two hits and first baseman
Damariz Mercado (sr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) posted a double and one run.
The Profs had a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Genello started the game with a single and she stole second base. Shortstop
Carly Anderson (so. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) moved Genello to third with a sac bunt. Smith plated Genello with a single up the middle. The Cougars tied the score in the fourth. The bases were loaded and Berezny scored when Ratti was hit by a pitch.
In the fifth inning, Mercado led off with a double and went to third on Genello's ground out. Mercado crossed the plate on Anderson's out and the score was 2-1.
Tue., May 2 (at higher seeds)
Game 1: #1 Ramapo College 3, #6 Montclair State University 2 (9 innings)
Game 2: #2 William Paterson University 6, #5 Stockton University 3
Game 3: #3 Kean University 3, #4 Rowan University 2
Fri., May 5 (Kean University Softball Field)
Game 4: Montclair State University (22-17) vs. Stockton University (21-19-1), 2 p.m.
Game 5: Ramapo College (28-7) vs. Rowan University (31-8), 4 p.m.
Game 6: William Paterson University (28-9) vs. Kean University (30-7), 6 p.m.
IF FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
Sat., May 6 (Kean University Softball Field)
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, 1 p.m.
Game 9: loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 3 p.m.
Sun., May 7 (Kean University Softball Field)
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary)
IF FIVE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 6:
Sat., May 6 (Kean University Softball Field)
Game 7: loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, 1 p.m.
Game 9: winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 3 p.m.
IF TWO TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
Sun., May 7 (Kean University Softball Field)
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11: same teams as game 10 (if necessary)
IF THREE TEAMS REMAIN AFTER GAME 9:
Sun., May 7 (Kean 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.
