Union, NJ – Top-seeded Montclair State University scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally for a 3-2 win over third-seeded Rowan University in the winner's bracket game at NCAA Division III Softball Union Regional on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (41-7) erased a 2-0 deficit to advance to Sunday's championship and are one win away from advancing to the NCAA Softball Championships in Salem, Va.  Rowan (38-8) faces #2 Moravian College on Sunday morning in an elimination game with the winner advancing to meet the Red Hawks.

The two teams were locked in a pitchers' duel through the regulation seven innings, as Rowan junior right-hander Leanne Miller and Montclair State sophomore right-hander Alex Hill (Parsippany, NJ, Parsippany Hills) each allowed just three hits apiece through the first seven innings. 

Montclair State had a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning, as centerfielder Shannon Mozek (Wayne, NJ, Wayne Valley) led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on the sacrifice.  However, the Red Hawks were unable to bring her across as Miller recorded a pair of strikeouts to get out of the inning. 

In the top of the third inning, looked to have right fielder Lauren Davis at third base with a one-out triple, however the lefty slapper was called out for leaving the box early.

Rowan was able to get a pair of runners aboard in the fourth inning as first baseman Stephanie Labas reached on an error and shortstop Ashley Minch had a single, before Hill got out of the inning to preserve the scoreless game.

In the top of the eighth inning, second baseman Nicole Escudero led off with a bunt single.  Two batters later, catcher Nicolina Veneziano blasted a two-run homerun to centerfield to give Rowan the 2-0 lead.  The Profs would load the bases with one out following a double by left fielder Jennifer Arcella and walks to Labas and Minch, however Montclair State recorded the out at home plate on the fielder's choice and the fly-out to get out of the inning without allowing anymore runs.

Montclair State answered right back in the bottom of the inning, as second baseman Katie Muglia (South Plainfield, NJ, South Plainfield) and pinch hitter Melany Zeller (Bloomfield, NJ, Bloomfield) led off with back-to-back singles.  Muglia cut the lead in half when she scored on a throwing error on the sacrifice attempt by catcher Heather Bergman (Berkeley Heights, NJ, Governor Livingston).  Right fielder Stephanie Szeliga (South Plainfield, NJ, South Plainfield) walked to load the bases and Mozek followed with the RBI single to right field to tie the game. 

The Profs were nearly able to get out of the jam with a line-out, however the throw back to first base to try and record the inning-ending double play sailed wide and pinch runner Nicole Iorio (Beachwood, NJ, Toms River South) raced home with the game-winning run. 

Hill (29-4) recorded seven strikeouts and was 1-of-3 at the plate, while Mozek finished 2-of-4 with one RBI.

For Rowan, Miller (21-2) suffered just her second loss of the season after recording four strikeouts, while Veneziano was 1-of-4 with two RBI and one run scored.