Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KISSIMMEE, FL – The Rowan University softball team started its Florida trip with wins over Illinois College, 7-6 and Thiel College, 15-0 in five innings on Friday.
 
Against Illinois, right-hander Jess DeDomenico (so East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) was the winning pitcher in relief.  She (2-1) threw three innings, scattered four hits and gave up three unearned runs.  DeDomenico also had one hit and one run scored.  Righty Mariah Hedges (sr. Canton, IL/Canton) took the loss.  She (2-3) allowed 11 hits and seven runs, four earned.
 
Right fielder Morgan Smith (sr. Millsboro, DE/Sussex Central) totaled three hits (four at bats), three RBIs and a home run.  Left fielder Rebecca Lombardo (fr. New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) contributed with a double and three RBIs.  Catcher Nicole Paiotti (sr. Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) chipped in with a RBI.
 
Center fielder Kristina Mueller (jr. Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge), third baseman Cassandra Gerard (jr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) and shortstop Carly Anderson (jr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) each added a hit and one run.  First baseman Mackenzie Short (so. Denton, MD/North Caroline) and pinch runner Madison Petroski (fr. Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek Reg.) scored one run apiece.
 
The Lady Blues led 6-2 after five runs in the top of the fifth inning.  The Profs followed with five runs in the bottom half to go ahead 7-6.  Anderson walked and was replaced by Petroski.  Smith recorded a home run to left field, scoring Petroski.  Lombardo plated three runs with a double to left center.   
 
For Illinois, first baseman Maddy Morgan (fr. Mt. Zion, IL/Mt. Zion) had three hits in four at bats, one RBI and one run.  Center fielder Hailey Lesser (so. Nine Mile Falls, WA/Lakeside) registered two hits and two RBIs. Shortstop Elyce Trout (sr. La Harpe, IL/Illini West) crossed home plate two times.  Right fielder Sam Seggerman (fr. El Passo, IL/El Passo-Gridley) and second baseman Savanna Brady (jr. Oswego, IL/Oswego) each had one RBI.
 
The Profs' first run came in the first inning.  Mueller led off with a single up the middle and stole second base.  She advanced to third on a ground out and touched the plate on Smith's base hit through the left side.  With two outs in the third, Paiotti knocked in Anderson with a single.  Illinois scored in the fourth inning.  Seggerman walked with the bases loaded and Trout came home.
 
Rookie Kelly Duffy (fr. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) recorded her first collegiate win on the mound versus Thiel.  In three innings of relief, she did not give up a hit and had two strikeouts.
Rowan compiled 21 hits against the Tomcatsl.  Mueller was the leader at the plate with four hits (four at bats), a triple and three RBIs.  She also scored four runs.  Anderson collected a double, three RBIs and one run.  Smith went three for three with one RBI and two runs scored.  Paiotti drove in two runs, had one double and scored two runs. 
 
Designated player Christina Guarino (fr. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) and Lombardo each produced three hits and two runs.  Guarino also had two RBIs and a double.  Shortstop Rachel Breuninger (jr. Sparta, NJ/Lenape Valley Reg.) hit a double and scored two runs. 
 
Rowan's schedule at the Sunkissed Games continues on Saturday, March 10 against Muskingum University at 11:15 a.m. and Ohio Northern University at 1:30 p.m.