Box Score MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University softball team shut out William Paterson University, 1-0 in nine innings in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Friday.  The conference tournament is at Montclair State University.

Rowan (29-10-1), the second seed, plays the fifth seed Stockton University (24-16) on Saturday at 1 p.m.  The Ospreys had a 4-2 win over the Profs in the tournament's first round.  In the second round on Friday, the top seed The College of New Jersey eliminated Kean University with a 10-0 shutout in five innings and Ramapo College defeated Stockton University, 3-1. 
 
TCNJ meets Ramapo in the first game on Saturday at 11 a.m.  The loser of the TCNJ/Ramapo game faces the winner of the Rowan/Stockton game at 3 p.m.
 
With one out in the top of the ninth, Rowan shortstop Carly Anderson (jr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) singled through the right side versus William Paterson.  Pitcher Jesse DeDomenico (so. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) reached on a fielder's choice and Anderson was out at second.  Right fielder Morgan Smith (sr. Millsboro, DE/Sussex Central) drove in DeDomenico with a double to left field.  It was Smith's 12th double on the season and she increased her career school record to 59. 
 
DeDomenico struck out the Pioneers' first batter in the bottom half of the inning while the second and third outs came on ground outs.  She pitched four relief innings for the win.  DeDomenico (16-6) did not allow a hit.  Right-hander Lauren Shannon (so. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) was the starter and she only gave up one hit.  Sarah Byrnes (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) had the loss on the mound (16-7).
 
Smith and Anderson each ended the game with two hits.  Third baseman Cassandra Gerard (jr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley), center fielder Kristina Mueller (jr. Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) and DeDomenico all contributed with one hit.  Left fielder Kara Molnar (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) had a double for William Paterson.
 
Montclair State University is the host for the remainder of the double elimination tournament on Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6.  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.

This is Rowan's 29th appearance in the NJAC Championship Tournament and 15th straight.  The Profs have captured the conference title eight times (2014, 2012, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1983). 
 
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., May 1 (at higher seed)
Game 1:  #1 The College of New Jersey 6, #6 William Paterson University 1
Game 2:  #5 Stockton University 4, #2 Rowan University 2
Game 3:  #3 Ramapo College 5, #4 Kean University 4 (at Kean)
 
Fri., May 4 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 4:  Rowan University 1, William Paterson University 0 (9 inn.) (WP is eliminated.)
Game 5:  The College of New Jersey 10, Kean University 0 (5 inn.) (Kean is eliminated.)
Game 6:  Ramapo College 3, Stockton University 1
 
Sat., May 5 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 7:  The College of New Jersey (30-6) vs. Ramapo College (25-11), 11 a.m.
Game 8:  Rowan University (29-10-1) vs. Stockton University (24-16), 1 p.m.
Game 9:  loser game 7 vs. winner game 8, 3 p.m.
 
Sun., May 6 (Montclair State University Softball Field)
Game 10:  winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 11 a.m.
Game 11:  same teams as game 10 (if necessary), TBA