Rowan College South Jersey Cumberland captured the NJCAA Region XIX Softball Championship Saturday by defeating Camden County College 11-4 in Game 2 of the Championship Series at RCSJ Gloucester.
Winning pitcher Bailey Pennino, who started and completed all five games in the two-day double elimination tournament, was named tournament MVP. The Dukes, the No. 3 seed, completed a tough path to winning the crown by rolling to victories in four straight games after losing an opening round contest on Friday.
In the title clinching win, the Dukes raced to an 8-0 first inning lead and never looked back. The Cougars, the No. 4 seed, closed to gap to 8-4 before Cumberland scored three late runs to seal the victory.
Earlier Saturday, Cumberland escaped elimination by topping No. 4 seed Camden County College, 7-2, in Game 1 of the championship series.
The winning pitcher was Pennino, who lasted seven innings for the triumph. Second baseman Madison Sloan paced the Cumberland offense with three hits and one run scored.
Earlier, the No. 3 seed Dukes advanced to the championship round by defeating No. 2 Middlesex, 9-1, in an elimination game.
Friday Tournament Results
The NJCAA Region XIX Softball Tournament proved to be a tough outing for the top-seed Roadrunner softball team. The Runners were ousted from the double elimination competition, dropping their opener to Camden County College by a 5-3 score and then falling to RCSJ Cumberland 5-4 in the elimination game.
Camden County College, meanwhile, enjoyed a successful day, advancing to Saturday's championship game by knocking off both No. 1 seed RCSJ and then No. 2 Middlesex.
In Game 1, winning pitcher Maryjane Calascione scattered nine hits and allowed three earned runs as No. 4 Camden County upset No. 1 seed RCSJ Gloucester 5-3 in the opening round. Alexys Kasperzack, Emily Auletto and Megan Barbara collected two hits each for the winning Cougars. Emily McGibeney had two hits for the Runners in a losing effort.
In Game 2, Abigail Jason cracked a home run and sophomore pitcher Kaitlynne McCarthy hurled a gem as No. 2 seed Middlesex blanked No. 3 RCSJ Cumberland 2-0 in a first round game. The Blue Colts advanced to play No. 4 seed Camden CC in a semifinal.
In Game 3, the Dukes' Gianna DeMarco slammed a home run and freshman Bailey Pennino hurled a complete game to lift No. 3 Cumberland past the Roadrunners 5-4 in an elimination game. The No. 1 seed Runners, coached by Steve DePasquale, finished their season at 24-9.
In Game 4, No. 4 seed Camden County took down No. 2 seed Middlesex, 4-1, in the Region semifinal. The Cougars advanced to title round vs. either Cumberland or Middlesex Saturday.
NJCAA REGION 19 SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 -- TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
Dates: May 14-16
Location: Rowan College South Jersey - Gloucester
GPS Address: 1400 Tanyard Road, Deptford, NJ 08080
Format: Double Elimination
Livestream: Weather permitting, all games from the tournament will be livestreamed at RCRoadrunners.com/WatchLive
Spectator Policy: Spectators will be allowed at the event. Masking and distancing will be required and some areas of the bleachers will be reserved for teams/event staff.
Spectator Parking: All spectators should park in Main Lot on campus and walk to field. Portable toilets will be available at the field.
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 14:
Game 1 - #4 Camden CC 5, #1 RCSJ Gloucester 3 Box Score Link / Photo Link
Game 2 - #2 Middlesex College 2, #3 RSCJ-Cumberland 0 Box Score Link / Photos Link
Game 3 - #3 RCSJ Cumberland 5, #1 RCSJ Gloucester 0 Box Score Link / Photos Link
Game 4 -#4 Camden CC 4, #2 Middlesex 1 Box Score Link / Photos Link
Saturday, May 15:
Game 5 - #3 RCSJ-Cumberland 9, #2 Middlesex 1 (elimination game) Box Score Link / Photos Link
Game 6 - #3 RCSJ Cumberland 7, #4 Camden CC 2 (Championship game #1) Box Score Link / Photos Link
Game 7 - #3 RCSJ Cumberland 11, #4 Camden CC 4 (Championship game #2) Box Score Link / Photos Link
Sunday, May 16:
RAIN DATE
Winner of tournament advances to and will host the North Atlantic District Championship May 20-22. North Atlantic District Champion receives an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division III National Championship!
Participating Teams:
RCSJ-Gloucester: Roster & Schedule
Middlesex College: Roster & Schedule
RCSJ-Cumberland: Roster & Schedule
Camden County College: Roster & Schedule