UNION, NJ – The Rowan University softball team swept Kean University, 9-7 and 4-0 in the conference opener on Saturday.
The Profs ended the Cougars' 14-game win streak. Rowan is 14-6 overall while ninth ranked Kean is 18-3 on the season.
In the opener, Rowan scored three runs in the top of the seventh for the win. Designated player
Kelly Duffy (so. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) drove in third baseman
Cassandra Gerard (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) with a single. Gerard had reached base with a double to left center. Left fielder
Morgan Zane (fr. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick) recorded a two-run homer to left center. In the bottom half, Kean third baseman Cayleen Rizo (sr. Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) hit a solo shot to left field.
Right-hander
Alexa Saccomanno (fr. Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) was the winning pitcher in relief (1-0) and righty
Lauren Shannon (jr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) earned the save. Left-hander Taryn DiGiacomo (jr. Saddle Brook, NJ/Saddle Brook) took the loss (10-2).
Zane ended the game with three hits (four at bats) and three RBIs. Shortstop
Carly Anderson (sr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) contributed with a double and three RBIs. Catcher
Christina Guarino (so. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) had two RBIs and Gerard scored two runs.
Rizo totaled two hits and two runs. Left fielder Olivia Zengel (sr. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) registered two hits, one RBI and one run. Second baseman Julie Raba (so. Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood), designated player Jacqueline Riley (sr. South Amboy, NJ/Cardinal McCarrick) and shortstop Gabriella Fredette (so. Hackensack, NJ/Immaculate Conception) each had one hit and one RBI.
The Profs led 5-0 after scoring three runs in the second inning and two in the third. Anderson drove in all three runs in the second with a double to right field. In the third, Guarino blasted a two-run shot to left field. The Cougars went ahead 6-5 in the fourth and Rowan tied the score in the fifth. Zane double to left center, scoring Gerard.
Shannon had the win on the mound in the second game of the twin bill. It was her fifth shutout on the season. Shannon (6-2) only allowed one hit and struck out eight batters. Riley suffered her first loss of the season (7-1).
Two of the Profs' runs came in the sixth inning. With one out, Duffy hit a double to left field. Pinch runner
Shea Branda (jr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) replaced Duffy. Zane followed with a base hit up the middle and Branda came home. Second baseman
Sonia Sharma (so. Mahwah, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) plated Zane with a single down the left field line. Right fielder
Jesse DeDomenico (jr. East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) had a two-run shot in the seventh inning.
Rowan produced 12 hits. Anderson was four for four with one run scored. Duffy and Zane each collected two hits. First baseman
Mackenzie Short (jr. Denton, MD/North Caroline) and Guarino had one hit apiece.
Next week, Rowan hosts William Paterson University on Tuesday, April 2 at 3 p.m.
