NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark could not hold a 6-2 lead in game one against No. 17 Rowan, falling in the New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader, 11-6 and 8-0, on Alumni Field.

BOX SCORES & PLAY-BY-PLAY
Rowan 11, Rutgers-Newark 6
Rowan 8, Rutgers-Newark 0

IN GAME ONE, freshman shortstop Victoria Sovak bounced the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning off the top of the leftfielder fence for her fourth home run of the year as the Scarlet Raiders (12-19, NJAC 1-10) made a bid for their second straight upset of a heavily-favored team in league play.

But Rowan's first seven runs were unearned against sophomore right-hander Liane Drastal (5-12) and the Profs produced just two earned runs in the game.  The Raiders committed seven errors as Drastal scattered eight hits while striking out one and walking two.

Rowan senior catcher Nicolina Veneziano capped a 5-run rally in the fourth with a towering 3-run home run to give the Profs (27-5, NJAC 8-4) the lead for good a 7-6.  The visitors tacked on three runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth to break open the game.

Sovak and junior third baseman Monica Liotto had two hits each to lead Rutgers-Newark's 9-hit attack against Rowan senior right-hander Jamie Minix (11-4).  Minix struck out 10 and walked two after giving up five runs on five hits and three errors in the third inning.

IN THE SEOND GAME, the Raiders managed just three hits against Rowan ace LeAnne Miller (14-1).

Liotto doubled in the first and sophomores Tori Santiago and AJ Affholter had lead-off singles in the third and fifth innings, respectively, but Miller struck out four against two walks while the Rowan attack registered 14 hits.

Junior designated player Lindsey Sampolski went three for four with a 2-run double in the first inning and a 2-run homer down the leftfield line to cap a 4-run seventh inning for the Profs.  Veneziano opened the inning with her second home run of the day, this one going over the fence in straight-away center field.

Sophomore leftfielder Jennifer Arcella and junior first baseman Stephanie Labas also went three for four the Rowan.

Rutgers-Newark visits Ramapo College on Saturday for an NJAC twinbill at 1 p.m.