Rowan softball victimized by two TCNJ rallies in doubleheader sweep

On Senior Day this past Tuesday, the Rowan softball team found itself one out away from tying for the New Jersey Athletic Conference lead. The team also found itself six outs away from what could have been a sweep to earn a one-game advantage at the conference. Instead, the Profs now find themselves out of reach for the NJAC regular season title, and in third place with two games left to play before the conference tournament.

Rowan (25-10, 11-5 NJAC) gave up two 1-0 leads in the top of the seventh and bottom of the sixth, as The College of New Jersey (28-6, 14-2 NJAC) rallied to win both games of a doubleheader, 4 – 1 and 4 – 2. Jamie Minix and Erica Knorr both pitched scoreless games through five innings, but suffered a loss at the hands of the Lions.

Both losses came in front of packed crowds at the Rowan University softball complex,  due to both Senior Day festivities and the intense rivalry between the two teams.

Unfortunately for Rowan, the Lions got the clutch hits and defensive breaks.

“You got to play well, play sound defensive at this time of the year,” said head coach Kim Wilson. “The positive part is we have things that we can improve on and come back from.”

Sophomore pitching ace Jamie Minix (15-4) came into the top of the seventh inning with a 1 – 0 lead, behind an RBI-double by senior catcher Steph Taraschi. Minix walked the lead-off batter, but forced the next two batters to ground out, with the runner on base advancing to third. With one out to go, Michelle Kent knocked a hit into center field just of reach of a diving Nikki Veneziano, plating the tying run. It was a tough day for Veneziano, who also came within inches of winning the game in bottom of the ninth inning when she crushed a pitch just foul down the left field line.

As the game went to extra innings, the international rule was implemented, giving both teams a runner on second base to start. TCNJ bunted the runner to third before executing another bunt that forced Minix to throw home. Ashley Sogluizzo ran home safe on the play at the plate, and the Lions punched in two more runs.

“We didn’t execute defensively, and they got a couple extra [runs],” Wilson said, “but I thought it was a very good game.”

The Profs suffered similar heartbreak when allowing four runs in the bottom of the sixth in Game 2, turning a 1-0 lead to a 4-1 deficit with just three outs to go. Only one of the four runs was earned, providing a rough end to a fantastic day by Knorr.

“I think she did really well,” Taraschi said. “She kept all the hitters off balance. Her stuff was moving really well. They didn’t really know how to adjust.”

Rowan provided rallies in the final three outs in both games, but fell short. Senior designated player Jamie Parks flew out to right field with runners on the corners in Game 1, and senior right fielder Heidi Smith grounded out to second with bases loaded in Game 2.

While Senior Day had two heartbreaking endings for the Profs, there’s still good reason to believe they can rebound in the conference tournament after playing well against TCNJ’s top two starting pitchers, Ashley Minervini (13-4) and Lauren Fitzsimmons (15-1).

“I think we all saw the ball well today, so we definitely know we’re capable of hitting (Minervini and Fitzsimmons),” Taraschi said.

The Profs close out the season with a doubleheader Saturday at William Paterson at 1 p.m.