Glassboro, NJ (4/28/09) – The Rowan University softball team shut out Montclair State University,   3-0 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

The Profs, the number one seed, have a 31-8 record while the sixth seed Red Hawks are 23-16 overall.  The remainder of the double elimination tournament will be held at Rowan on Friday-Sunday, May 1-3.

On Friday, Rowan plays number four Ramapo College at 1:30 p.m. and prior Montclair State meets the fifth seed Kean University at 11 a.m.

Rowan right-hander Jackie Sasko (sr. Groveville, NJ/Steinert) only gave up two hits for her 11th shutout on the season.  Sasko (18-3) recorded 11 strikeouts.  Lefty KELLY KARP (sr. Edison, NJ/Edison) took the loss for Montclair State.  Karp (11-9) allowed four hits and three runs, one was earned.

Catcher Steph Taraschi (jr. Mt. Ephriam, NJ/Audubon) was two for two with one run scored for the Profs.  First baseman Nicki Veneziano (fr. Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) contributed with a triple and one RBI.  Second baseman Jenna DiDonato (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) added one RBI.  Designated player Ashley Landi (so. Vineland, NJ/Vineland) and left fielder Casey Roselle (so. Sparta, NJ/Sparta) each scored one run.

For the Red Hawks, second baseman MEGAN DURKIN (jr. West Orange, NJ/West Orange) went one for two at the plate.  Karp had one hit, a double,  in two at bats.

The Profs went up 2-0 in the second inning.  Landi scored the first run on a passed ball then Roselle came home on a ground out with DiDonato earning the RBI.  Veneziano's triple plated Taraschi in the fifth inning

Tickets for the conference tournament are: $5 for adults and $2 for students with ID, senior citizens and children.  The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.