Confident Softball Sweeps Conference Rival Ramapo

Last week, head coach Kim Wilson anticipated that Saturday’s doubleheader against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Ramapo College was going to be a dogfight. She was right.

Rowan University won the first game 2-0 behind senior pitcher Jackie Sasko’s fourth shutout of the season. Sasko gave up only three hits and struck out six on her way to her eighth win of the season. Sakso picked up her ninth win in the second game of the doubleheader, when she relieved sophomore Amanda Singer in fourth inning.

The atmosphere was similar to late-season or playoff games, because even though it is relatively early on in the season, a lot was on the line.

Ramapo went into Saturday with a 12-0 record. Rowan went into Saturday’s games looking to prove that they were in fact the team that, in preseason, was picked to win the NJAC by the conference coaches. Both teams were playing in their first conference match up of the season.

Junior outfielder Alyssa Glenn believes that this played to the Prof’s advantage.

“There was an atmosphere of intensity but it was more of an excited nature,” Glenn said. “It was the first NJAC game of the year and we were playing an undefeated team, so I think the atmosphere of a game like that is always an advantage for the team who really has nothing to lose.”

Junior catcher Steph Taraschi also felt that the Profs played with little pressure.

“They were undefeated going in so they had a lot of pressure on them, whereas we went into the game having fun with it,” Taraschi said. “We were laughing and cheering the whole time on the bench.”

Offensively in the first game, the Profs were led by Taraschi’s two-run home run, her first of the season, and the only runs recorded in the first game. Taraschi’s added patience at the plate has lead to an above .300 batting average this season.

“Now at the plate if I let a pitch by I’m like ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ It’s not just about one pitch,” Taraschi said.

In the second game, freshman infielder Ashley Minch homered in the fifth inning to tie the game. Minch recorded a total of three RBIs in the second game en route to a 5-1 win.

“I just wanted to get on base,” Minch said. “I was down in the count and wanted to get the ball in play to make something happen. I wanted to help out the team in some way especially because I didn’t play at all the first game.”

The wins over Ramapo brought Rowan to a 15-5 overall record and a 2-0 record in the NJAC. With their next six games against NJAC opponents, Wilson is adamant that the team doesn’t split these important doubleheaders.

“It’s important that we control our own destiny,” Wilson said.

That destiny starts this Saturday, when the Profs host Montclair State University at 1 p.m.

“Its been fun so far,” Wilson said. “Everyday is an adventure.”

An adventure that will hopefully continue as the Profs look to put together a winning streak.

Rowan Sweeps Non-Conference Haverford

Rowan Softball made short work of Haverford last Friday sweeping them in a doubleheader 11-1 and 7-0. Jackie Sasko struck out five batters and gave up five hits on her way to her eighth win of the year. The first game ended in the fifth inning because of the eight-run rule. Catcher Steph Taraschi went 4 for 4 with two RBIs and right fielder Heidi Smith contributed two RBIs as well.