MONTCLAIR--Third seeded Rowan University defeated the top seed Montclair State University, 3-1 on May 6 to win the New Jersey Athletic Conference Softball Championship Tournament. It is Rowan’s seventh NJAC Championship overall, but first since 2002.       

The Profs receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  The selections and pairings for the national tournament will be released on NCAA.com at 10:00 AM on May 7.

Rowan right-hander LeAnne Miller pitched a complete game for the victory to improve to 20-1 on the season. Miller only allowed one earned run on three hits, while striking out a season-high 11 batters.  MSU righty Alex Hill took the loss, falling to 26-4 after surrendering three earned runs on three hits in six innings.

Rowan designated hitter Katie Trotter led the Profs with a double (three at bats) and three RBIs. Catcher Nicolina Veneziano registered two hits (three at bats), one run scored and a double. Shortstop Ashley Minch and first baseman Stephanie Labas each scored once.

 For the Red Hawks, center fielder Shannon Mozek went two for three with one run scored and a double. Hill produced one RBI. Left fielder Jamie Paulino contributed with one hit in two at bats.

Montclair State went ahead, 1-0 in the top of the first inning.  Mozek led off with a double to left center field.  She moved to third on Paulino’s sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hill.  All three of Rowan’s runs came in the third.  Veneziano singled to left center field.  Labas walked and Minch was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two outs, Trotter ripped a double to right center field, plating Veneziano, Labas and Minch.