Editor’s Note: We have updated this article in accordance with schedule changes.
Rowan softball swept Muhlenberg College in a doubleheader for their first home games this past Tuesday, winning 5-3 and 6-3.
Despite the cold, rainy and windy afternoon, Rowan did not let the inclement weather stop them earning eight hits in the first game. Cat Thomas, who was recently awarded New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie Pitcher of the Week, got the victory for the Profs on the mound. She pitched 4.2 innings and struck out two batters.
Freshman shortstop Payton MacNair led the Profs with a single and a triple, totaling three RBIs in the first game. Junior left fielder Morgan Zane and catcher Cali Kraemer each contributed with a hit and an RBI.
Rowan got out to an early 4-0 lead through the first four innings, led by MacNair’s triple in the fourth inning in which she gained two of her RBIs, as runners were on second and third. She recalls her at-bat and what her approach was.
“[I was thinking] ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to put this ball into play,’” MacNair said.
In an attempt to make a comeback in the fifth, the Mules scored three runs, with hits by shortstop Sarah Karmazyn and catcher Genna Cicchetti, but it was not enough to overtake the Profs.
The Profs offensive surge continued throughout the game as Zane doubled and had an RBI, which drove in MacNair in the bottom of the sixth inning. Zane has been known as one of Rowan’s better and more experienced hitters, as her experience showed late in the game and sealed the deal for the Profs as they now led 5-3.
There was no more scoring after the sixth inning, and Rowan held on to win 5-3.
As for the second game, the Profs wasted no time scoring in the first inning as second baseman Breanna Bryant scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Kraemer.
The Profs came back out in the third inning and added to their lead as pinch hitter Kelly Duffy singled to left field bringing in both runners, and gaining two RBIs to bring the score to 3-0.
Senior pitcher Emily August was cruising through the first three innings of the game, but ran into some trouble in the fourth inning, giving up a homerun to left fielder Kersti Svennings, cutting the Profs lead to 3-1.
The Profs came back in the bottom of the fourth inning and scored three more times, all of which were unearned runs. Duffy and Kraemer each singled and contributed with an RBI and Zane reached on an error allowing center fielder Rebecca Lombardo to score.
The Mules added two more runs in the fifth inning, but it was not enough as they were still losing 6-3. The game was called after the Mules batted in the fifth due to the darkness at the stadium. Rowan University does not have lights on the softball field, so the game was called for the players’ safety.
Giving up only two earned runs and striking out four batters, August earned the win and is now 1-1 on the mound.
Although August only pitched four innings in the second game, she earned the victory and recalls which pitches were working, like her curve ball, and which ones she struggled with, like her riseball.
In both games, junior Alexa Saccomanno came on in relief, earning the save in the first game, and closing out the second game.
It was a successful day of games for the Profs, as they took home two wins in their home opener against Muhlenberg. They are now 4-2 on the season and will face Muhlenberg in another doubleheader on Friday afternoon at home.
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