NJAC Tournament Bracket

EWING, NJ – The Rowan University softball team defeated Kean University, 7-5 in nine innings in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Friday at The College of New Jersey
 
Left fielder Morgan Zane (fr. Pittsgrove, NJ/A.P. Schalick) recorded a two-run homer to center field for the victory.  It was the NJAC Rookie of the Year's fifth home run on the season.  Third baseman Cassandra Gerard (sr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) led off the inning with a single to right center.  
 
The Profs (30-10) are the second seed and the Cougars (35-6) are seeded third.  The conference tournament continues on Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5 at Dr. June Walker Field.  Rowan plays the top seed The College of New Jersey (32-6) on Saturday at 10 a.m.  The Lions had a 4-0 shutout over Ramapo College on Friday.      
 
The NJAC tournament is double elimination. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
Shortstop Carly Anderson (sr. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) led Rowan with two hits, a double and four RBIs.  Zane ended the game with two hits.  Designated player Kelly Duffy (so. Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Mem.) contributed with one hit and one RBI.  Catcher Christina Guarino (so. West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) added two hits and scored two runs.  First baseman Mackenzie Short (jr. Denton, MD/North Caroline) had two hits and one run. 
 
For Kean, shortstop Gabriella Fredette (so. Hackensack, NJ/Immaculate Conception) totaled three RBIs, one hit and one run.  Left fielder Olivia Zengel (sr. Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) and second baseman Julie Raba (so. Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) registered one hit and one RBI apiece.  Right fielder Caroline Ratti (sr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield), first baseman Sarah Zengel (fr. Kingwood, NJ/Delaware Valley Reg.) and center fielder Katie Debbie (so. Mountainside, NJ/Governor Livingston) each had one run.
 
Rowan scored two runs in the sixth inning, which tied the game at five. Anderson singled up the middle and Guarino touched home plate.  Duffy reached base on a fielder's choice, scoring Short.
 
Kean took the lead 5-3 with four runs in the top of the fourth inning.  Fredette drove in two runs with a double.  She crossed the plate on Olivia Zengel's base hit down the left field line.  Raba hit a single up the middle and Ratti scored.
 
The Cougars scored one run in the second inning and the Profs answered with three in the bottom half.  Fredette walked with the based loaded and pinch runner Grace Cofino (fr. Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) came home.  Anderson knocked in three runs with a double.  It was her 16^th double this year.     
 
This is Rowan's 30th appearance in the NJAC Championship Tournament and 16th straight.  The Profs have captured the conference title 10 times (2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1983).  
 
The NJAC Softball Championship Tournament results and schedule are below.  
 
Tue., April 30 (at higher seed)
Game 1:  #1 The College of New Jersey 3, #6 Stockton University 2
Game 2:  #2 Rowan University 6, #5 Montclair State University 1
Game 3:  #3 Kean University 4, #4 Ramapo College 0
 
Fri., May 3 (Dr. June Walker Field, The College of New Jersey)
Game 4:  Montclair State University 6, Stockton University 1 (Stockton is eliminated)
Game 5:  The College of New Jersey 4, Ramapo College 0 (Ramapo is eliminated)
Game 6:  Rowan University 7, Kean University 5 (9 inn.)
 
Sat., May 4 (Dr. June Walker Field, The College of New Jersey)
Game 7:  Rowan University (30-10) vs. The College of New Jersey (32-6), 10 a.m.
Game 8:  Montclair State University (29-13) vs. Kean University (35-6), noon
Game 9:  loser game 7 vs. winner of game 8, 2 p.m.
 
Sun.,May 5 (Dr. June Walker Field, The College of New Jersey)
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9
Game 11: if necessary, same as game 10