The College's softball squad split their Wednesday doubleheader with New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Rowan University, shutting out the Profs in the first game, 4-0, before dropping in a tight 3-2 decision in the second half of the home action.
The Lions now post an impressive 16-4 overall record, along with a 3-1 NJAC record, and are ranked No. 10 nationally according to the most recent Division III poll. After Wednesday's games, the Profs evened out at 9-9 overall, with a 1-3 record in the NJAC.
The College was previously hammered by Rowan in the start of the season at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., when they were handed a 14-2 defeat. Lion players view their success in the recent doubleheader as redemption against their local rival.
"It felt very good after a disappointing loss before," junior shortstop Carolyn Kaschak said. "We felt like we had control over both games."
Rowan started the second game off strongly when sophomore center fielder Nicole Panikiewsky smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the third to give the Profs 1-0 lead. The Lions retaliated the following inning by scoring two runs off of the bats of Kaschak and NJAC Rookie of the Week freshman pitcher Katie Quigley. Quigley hit an RBI double to drive home junior second baseman Katie Fritz, and then scored on Kaschak's RBI double.
The College remained on top until the sixth inning, when Rowan junior first baseman Crystal Barbour smacked a single, driving in two runs, and allowing Rowan to recapture the lead, which they would hold for the remainder of the game. Quigley threw for five innings in the defeat, letting up two runs on five hits, while fanning a pair. Sophomore pitcher Jessica Donohue took the loss for the Lions. She came in for Quigley in the sixth and gave up the unearned winning run.
Lions 4, Profs 0
Donahue shut down the Profs in the first game, earning a complete game shut out, while striking out five, in the Lions' 4-0 victory.
The College swung for the lead in the bottom of the third, when senior center fielder Michelle Meier singled home sophomores Siobhan Scullin and Cristina Venetucci, to give the College an early 2-0 advantage. The Lions upped the lead to four, when Kaschak slammed a two-run double, scoring Fritz and Scullin. Donahue held on for the victory.
"Jess showed a lot of heart," Fritz said. "She just shut their team down."
"We all focused on our own game, whatever we had to do to come out and beat them," Fritz added. "We came out and put things together to get the win."
After defeating Rowan, Kaschak feels that the Lions have no limit this season.
"If we play our game, we can beat anyone in the league, anyone in the country," Fritz said.
Upcoming Game
The Lions play April 10, 3 p.m., at home against Gwynedd-Mercy College.
