KISSIMMEE, FL – The Rowan University softball team started its Florida Trip at the Spring Games with two wins on Friday.  The Profs defeated the University of Southern Maine, 10-0 in five innings and Lake Forest College, 5-4.
 
Right-hander Lauren Shannon (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) was on the mound for the victory over Southern Maine.  Shannon (3-0) only gave up three hits and struck out seven batters. Righty Alexis Brown (jr. Malden, MA/Malden) had the loss (1-1).
 
Designated player Kelly Duffy (so. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) contributed with a double, three RBIs and one run.  Left fielder Morgan Zane (fr. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick) recorded a home run and two RBIs.  Catcher Christina Guarino (so. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) chipped in with two RBIs while shortstop Carly Anderson (sr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and right fielder Jesse DeDomenico (jr. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) had one apiece.  Center fielder Kristina Mueller (sr. Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) and Anderson each scored two runs.
 
The Profs jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.  Duffy drove in two runs with a double down the left field line.  Zane hit a two-run homer to right center.  It was her second home run on the season.  Mueller crossed home plate in the second on a ground out by Anderson.
 
Rowan added five more runs in the fourth inning.  DeDomenico had a sacrifice fly, scoring pinch runner Gianna Decker (sr. Southampton, NJ/Seneca).  Third baseman Cassandra Gerard (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) drove in Mueller with a single.  Anderson came home on an error and Guarino plated two runs with a base hit to center field.
 
DeDomenico was the winning pitcher against Lake Forest.  She (1-3) allowed four hits and four runs while striking out six.  Right-hander Missy Dieckman-Meyer (jr. Amelia, OH/Cincinnati Country Day) took the loss.  She (2-2) had seven strikeouts.
 
At the plate, DeDomenico was two for four with two RBIs, two doubles and one run.  Gerard and Duffy each had one hit and one RBI.  First baseman Mackenzie Short (jr. Denton, MD/North Caroline) posted two hits and one RBI.  Second baseman Sonia Sharma (so. Mahwah, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) added two hits in three at bats.  Anderson had a double and two runs.
 
For the Foresters, third baseman Emma Varsbergs (sr. Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove N.) collected three RBIs with a home run.  Shortstop Alyssa Grimm (sr. Waukesha, WI/Waukesha N.) went two for three at the plate and scored one run.  Catcher Nicole Schussler (so. Plainfield, IL/Oswego E.) had one RBI.
 
Rowan produced the winning run in the top of the seventh inning. DeDomenico started the frame with a double to left field and advanced to third on an error.  Duffy's sacrifice fly to center brought DeDomenico home.    
 
The Profs scored two runs in the top of the third.  DeDomenico knocked in the runs with a double to right center field.  Both teams had one run in the fourth inning.  Zane reached base with a double down the left field line and later came home on a single by Short.  Schussler grounded out and second baseman Shaye Gauthier (so. Oshkosh, WI/Oshkosh N.) scored.
 
Rowan had one run in the fifth.  Anderson led off with a double to left field.  Gerard singled and Anderson came home.  Lake Forest tied the score with three runs in the bottom half.  Varsbergs recorded a three-run homer.           
 
Rowan (4-3) plays Wesleyan University (CT) on Saturday, March 16 at 4 p.m. and national runner-up Illinois Wesleyan University at 6:30 p.m.