Box Score (Game #1) 
Box Score (Game #2) 

GLASSBORO, N.J. – The No. 24 William Paterson softball team (28-6, 13-5 NJAC) finished conference regular-season play by splitting a dramatic doubleheader at No. 16 Rowan (29-7, 14-2 NJAC) April 25, as the Pioneers won the first game by a 4-1 score before dropping the night cap, 4-3 in eight innings. The Pioneers have locked up a top-three seed for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament and will host a first-round game Tuesday, April 28, at 4:00 p.m.

Six of the league's 10 teams still have two conference games to play on Sunday, April 26, that will determine the final seedings. If The College of New Jersey were to sweep visiting Rowan on Sunday, William Paterson will be the tournament's third seed. Any other result will give the Pioneers the tournament's second seed.

After the first-round games are completed on April 28, top-seeded Rowan will host the remainder of the double-elimination NJAC Tournament Friday-Sunday, May 1-3.

GAME ONE
In the first game of the day, freshman Michele Graham (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne) pitched the complete game in the Pioneers' 4-1 victory, improving to 12-3 while allowing 10 hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.

First baseman Ashlie Gaynor (Berlin, N.J./Eastern) led William Paterson with three hits, including a double, and three RBI, while designated player Jenna Vitale (Kenilworth, N.J./David Brearley) was 2-for-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored.

For Rowan, designated player Ashley Landi totaled three hits in three at-bats and scored one run. Catcher Steph Taraschi and center fielder Kristina Brenner each contributed with two hits. Right fielder Heidi Smith contributed one RBI. Righty Jackie Sasko took the loss (16-3), giving up four runs on nine hits and tallying nine strikeouts.

The Pioneers went up 2-0 in the second inning on a two-RBI single up the middle by Gaynor, knocking in pinch runner Raquel Roder (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) and left fielder Heather Mendez (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge). William Paterson tacked on two more runs in the third. Vitale's double plated second baseman Lindsey Nadolny (Belford, N.J./Middletown North), and Gaynor singled home Vitale. The Profs' run came in the bottom of the sixth when Smith plated Landi with a base hit.

GAME TWO
Tied at 3-3 after seven innings, Rowan salvaged a doubleheader split when pinch hitter Jamie Parks drove in the winning run in the top of the eighth with a single to right-center that scored Julie Leskanic.

Right hander Amanda Singer was the winning pitcher in the second contest. Singer (13-4) went 8.0 innings and recorded eight strikeouts. Vitale (7-3) took the hard-luck loss on the mound as she struck out six hitters in 7.2 innings of relief.

Second baseman Jenna DiDonato registered two hits (four at-bats) and one RBI for the Profs. Smith added two hits (five at-bats) and one run scored. Leskanic was 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. First baseman Nicki Veneziano and left fielder Casey Roselle each had one hit and one run scored.

For the Pioneers, Nadolny was 3-for-4 with one RBI, two runs scored and a double. Vitale had two hits in four at-bats and drove in a run. Center fielder Christina Zippler (Blackwood, N.J./Washington Twp.) contributed with two hits (four at-bats) and one run scored.

Rowan got on the scoreboard first with one run in the first inning, as Leskanic walked with the bases loaded to push across Smith. William Paterson took the lead with two runs in the bottom half of the same inning. Nadolny drove in Zippler with a single and later crossed the plate on Vitale's base hit.

The Profs tied the score at 2-2 with one run in the second, as DiDonato singled to right-center field, scoring Roselle. Rowan went up 3-2 in the top of the third when Landi's sacrifice fly scored Veneziano, and William Paterson tied the game again in the bottom of the third inning after Nadolny reached base with a single and eventually scored on a sac fly by Gaynor.

The Pioneers had a chance to at least force a ninth inning with a runner on third and one out in the bottom of the eighth, but Singer retired the last two WP hitters via strikeout.

William Paterson will finish regular-season play and celebrate Senior Day Sunday, April 26, with a home doubleheader against Wilkes at 12:00 p.m.