Smith College

GLASSBORO, NJ -- Pinch-runner Gia DiMeglio scored off an error in the bottom of the seventh to help #16 Rowan to a 1-0 walk-off win over Colby in the first game of the NCAA Championship Super Regional on Thursday.

The best-of-three series continues tomorrow with game two starting at 1 p.m. and a 'if necessary' game three following at 3:30 p.m.

SUPER REGIONAL HOMEPAGE | INTERACTIVE BRACKET 
PRESS CONFERENCE: ROWAN | COLBY

Emily McCutcheon raised her record to 21-5 as the senior fired a three-hitter to put the Profs one win away from a return to the NCAA Championship Tournament for the fourth year in a row. McCutcheon, who struck out two batters and did not allow a walk, dueled with the Mules' Sophia Meade. Meade (14-4) was equally impressive, striking out seven on five hits, a walk, and an unearned run.

With the rain starting to pick up as the game went on, Colby threatened in the second, third, and fifth innings, getting a runner to third with two outs each time, but the Prof defense helped keep things scoreless.

Abigail Pawlowski's single with a runner on in the sixth, put two on with two outs. Meade was able to maneuver out of the scoring chance with a pop up at short to move things to the seventh.

After Carly Polsky reached via a hit by pitch to start the frame, DiMeglio came on to pinch run and took second with her 20th stolen base of the season. Now with a runner in scoring position, the stage was set as Zara MacNair hit a slow dribbler to second, but Colby's Emma Burnham's throw to first was off the mark to allow DiMeglio to race home for the game-winning run.

Pawlowski, Polsky, Zoey Rogers, Ava Fisher, and Kate Evick recorded hits for Rowan.

Carissa Cassidy was 1-for-3 with a stolen base for the visiting Mules.