GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University and Randolph-Macon College will meet in the final of the NCAA Softball Regional on Sunday at noon.
Rowan (35-11-1) advanced to the championship round after defeating the College of Staten Island, 13-0 (5 inn.) and Penn State Berks, 8-0 on Saturday. Randolph-Macon (40-5) had a 3-0 shutout over Penn State in the first game on the day. The Profs need to win the first game on Sunday to force the if necessary game at 2:30 in the double elimination tournament.
Game 3 – Randolph-Macon 3, Penn State Berks 0
(Randolph-Macon postgame interview)
Pitchers Kayley Scott (fr. Henrico, VA/Lee-Davis) and Madie Rhoads (fr. Portsmouth, VA/Nansemond River) shared the shutout. Scott (12-0) threw four innings for the win and only gave up two hits. Rhoads went three innings and did not allow a hit for her second save. Right-hander Jess Rozick (jr. Bensalem, PA/Bucks County Technical) took the loss (15-7).
First baseman Harley Jones (sr. Brodnax, VA/Brunswick) totaled two hits (three at bats), a home run and two runs scored for the Yellow Jackets. Third baseman Taylor Sanderford (so. Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) contributed with two RBIs and one hit. Center fielder Shelby Hill (so. Mechanicsville, VA/St. Margaret's) scored one run. For the Nittany Lions, designated player Val Miller (jr. Sinking Spring, PA/Conrad Weiser) and third baseman Cori Dickinson (fr. Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) each had one hit.
Randolph-Macon scored two runs in the second inning. Sanderford knocked in both runs with a single to right center, scoring Jones and Hill. Jones led off the fourth with a solo shot to center field.
Game 4 – Rowan 13, Staten Island 0 (5 inn.)
(Staten Island is eliminated.) (Staten Island postgame interview)
Pitcher
Jesse DeDomenico (so. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) and
Lauren Shannon (so. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) combined for the shutout versus Staten Island. DeDomenico (20-7) was on the hill for four innings and Shannon pitched one. Both pitchers did not surrender a hit and DeDomenico struck out six batters. She also had two hits, one RBI and one run.
Second baseman
Sonia Sharma (fr. Mahwah, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) led the way with three hits (three at bats), three RBIs and two runs. First baseman
Mackenzie Short (so. Denton, MD/North Caroline) produced two hits, a double, three RBIs and one run.
Third baseman
Cassandra Gerard (jr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) collected two hits, two RBIs and two runs. Center fielder
Kristina Mueller (jr. Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) added two hits and scored two runs. Shortstop
Carly Anderson (jr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and right fielder
Morgan Smith (sr. Millsboro, DE/Sussex Central) each chipped in with a RBI. Designated player
Kelly Duffy (fr. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) registered one hit, one RBI and one run. Pinch runners
Gianna Decker (jr. Southampton, NJ/Seneca),
Nina Rizzo (fr. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.),
Jenn Lawson (fr. Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) and
Madison Petroski (fr. Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek Reg.) scored one run apiece.
Game 5 – Rowan 8, Penn State Berks 0
(Penn State Berks is eliminated.)
(Rowan postgame interview) (Penn State Berks postgame interview)
DeDomenico (21-7) threw four innings for her second win on the day while not allowing any hits. She also had two hits, one RBI and one run. Shannon pitched the remainder of the game and only gave up one hit.
Mueller was three-for-four with two runs. Anderson crossed the plate three times. She also had two hits and one RBI. Smith drove in two runs while Gerard and Duffy each added one RBI. Catcher
Christina Guarino (fr. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) and Duffy each posted two hits. Short recorded one RBI with a sac fly and Petroski scored one run.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for students and children. Children age two and under are free. Rowan IDs and athletic passes are not accepted for postseason tournaments.
The winner of the regional advances to the Super Regional Round, Friday-Saturday, May 18-19. The NCAA Championship Tournament is scheduled for Thursday-Tuesday, May 24-29 at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, OK.
NCAA Regional Schedule at Rowan University
Friday, May 11
Game 1: #3 Penn State-Berks 3, #1 Rowan University 2
Game 2: #1 Randolph-Macon College 1, #4 College of Staten Island 0
Saturday, May 12
Game 3: Randolph-Macon 3, Penn State Berks 0
Game 4: Rowan University 13, College of Staten Island 0 (5 inn.)
(Staten Island is eliminated.)
Game 5: Rowan University 8, Penn State Berks 0
(Penn State Berks is eliminated.)
Sunday, May 13
Game 6: Randolph-Macon College (40-5) vs. Rowan University (34-11-1) , noon
Game 7: winner of game 6 vs. loser game 6 (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.
