GLASSBORO, NJ -- #13 Rowan won its NCAA Tournament opener over Centenary, 1-0, on Thursday.

The win moves the Profs along to face MIT on Friday morning at 11 a.m. in a winner's bracket matchup. The Engineers defeated SUNY-New Paltz, 4-1, in Thursday's other game here at the Rowan Regional. Centenary and SUNY-New Paltz battle in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

NCAA INTERACTIVE BRACKET | ROWAN REGIONAL HOMEPAGE

Payton MacNair knocked in Cat Thomas on an RBI single in the first inning and Rylee Lutz allowed just three hits in five innings of work. Emily McCutcheon yielded zero hits and just one walk over the final two innings to earn the save.

Centenary starter Jaelynn Miller (23-5) was equally impressive, holding Rowan to four hits while striking out eight. Miller also walked twice at the plate and had one of the team's three hits.

Thomas reached on a two-out single and later moved to second on a passed ball. MacNair then sent a 2-2 pitch into center where Thomas raced home for the 1-0 lead.

Lutz (16-6) did not allow a baserunner past second base on the day as the junior fanned four with just one walk.

After a lead-off single in the top of the fourth, the Profs turned a potential sacrifice bunt into a 5-6-4 double play. McCutcheon later got out of a spot in the sixth with runners on first and second with one out, snagging a liner right back at her for the second out and later inducing a fielder's choice at second to end the threat.

Zara MacNair and Morgan Tripodi registered the other two hits for the Profs.

The loser of the Rowan-MIT game will play the winner of the Centenary/SUNY-New Paltz game in another elimination game at 4 p.m. tomorrow.