Rowan softball swept its doubleheader against Rosemont in dominant fashion on Monday, March 25, outscoring the Ravens 25-1 across both games. The wins marked Rowan’s eighth and ninth straight as they improved to 15-5 on the season.
The Profs emerged victorious in game one by a final score of 17-1, marking their largest margin of victory against Rosemont in nine meetings against them all time.
Rylee Lutz had another fantastic day coming off a no-hitter in her previous start. She once again did not allow a hit in three innings which extended her no-hit streak to eight innings. Lutz also finished the game with seven strikeouts.
“I’m trying to execute by throwing first-pitch strikes to keep the hitters off balance,” Lutz said. “I’m trying to do a lot of that. I trust my defense a lot as well. I know if a ball gets hit in the field, they will have my back.”
Emily McCutcheon also had a great outing in game two, tossing five innings of one-run ball which included five strikeouts.
While Lutz and McCutcheon thrived by attacking the strike zone, the offense had to be patient with Rosemont pitcher Alicia Gotts, who was not throwing strikes. Rowan hitters walked eight times and got hit by a pitch twice, giving the Profs plenty of baserunners.
Patience at the plate is something head coach Kim Wilson continuously tries to instill in her players.
“No matter what, we want to swing at strikes, and sometimes you get antsy,” Wilson said. “I was proud of the kids that went in as pinch hitters because they’re going in to try and prove themselves, and they all took walks, and that’s a big deal. It’s hard.”
One player who took her coach’s advice was first baseman Cat Thomas.
“I was just looking for something to drive after my first step,” Thomas said. “I was looking to attack early in the counts, especially when there are base runners on. I was trying to hit behind the runners and just get my team some runs.”
Thomas had a great day; between both games, she finished 5-6 with seven RBIs combined.
“She’s just seeing the ball well,” Wilson said. “I don’t know that she’s doing anything different other than hitting the ball where it’s pitched and, you know, looking for her pitches. And you know, when you’re seeing a beach ball, it’s easier to hit.”
As Wilson mentioned, everyone got to contribute in both games, whether as a starter or a player who came off the bench. The Profs used seven pinch hitters on the day.
“I think they’re all very happy,” Wilson said. “Just playing together as a team, and no matter what, first and foremost, it’s about the team.”
Now, Rowan will look forward to having their first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Friday, March 29 at Kean University. The team will look to start off on the right track in conference play.
“I think we’re all just finding our strides at the plate right now, everyone is hitting the ball well,” Thomas said. “So I thought that playing today was going to be good for us and getting these two wins to go into Friday. We have to win every time we step out on the field, but we’re excited to start the conference games.”
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