No. 4 Rowan Softball has advanced to the NCAA Super Regional round for the third year in a row after Profs defeated the SUNY-Cortland Red Dragons 2-0 on Sunday, May 18, in the Regional Final and saw Emily McCutcheon, who won Glassboro regional Most Outstanding Player, throw her 14th complete game and her 10th shutout of the season.

“It’s pretty cool. I couldn’t have done it without my team behind me,” McCutcheon said. “They’re the ones that make me stand out. Without their plays they make behind me, this would never happen.”

The Profs offense got started early with two runs coming across in the first inning off Red Dragons’ pitcher McKenna Barry. The damage was done by left fielder Abigail Pawlowski, who smoked a double down the third baseline to score McKenzie Melvin. Then Breanna Bryant, the Profs’ third baseman, slapped a single right past Barry to score Pawlowski from second base and give the Profs the 2-0 lead.

“I was just trying to see the ball and hit it hard. I’ve been getting robbed a lot by the center fielders. So, basically the whole model was just put it where they can’t catch it,” Bryant said.

McCutcheon, who has a nation leading 0.80 ERA, allowed just five hits and held the Red Dragons to zero runs. She was backed up on offense by her teammates and says her success wouldn’t be possible without the run and defensive support.

“Definitely felt good today, just like the other days that we played,” McCutcheon said. “I knew that [the defense] was going to make good plays behind me. I knew that they were going to come out stronger and I was going to have to work even harder.”

The defense was on full display today as well for the Profs. After having an error in the fifth inning on a ground ball that skipped right under her glove, Bryant made a diving catch in the sixth. Bryant says she was happy she was able to rebound on defense after her earlier mistake.

“That error I made went right off the top of my foot. I just didn’t read it well enough,” Bryant said. “I know I needed to make a play, so I was happy I did. We needed to make sure we play good defense so they[SUNY-Cortland] don’t put a run across.” 

Head coach Kim Wilson is no stranger to winning, or the Super Regionals. Even though it’s become a bit of a habit for the Profs, Wilson says she is just as excited as any other time.”

“Living the dream. Here we are. We’re regional champions. I’m really happy for the kids,” Wilson said. “I think we do the little things right. We play good defense, hit, and get great pitching. It’s just a good bunch. They’re on a mission and, you know, next one up.”

Rowan will now face No. 8 Salisbury at home in the Super Regional round on May 22-23. The Falcons won their fourth-straight regional title with their 5-4 win over No. 19 Pfeiffer on May 17.

With one more team in the way of their goal, Wilson has her eyes set on the Profs future prize.

 “Going to the World Series,” Wilson said. “That’s the goal.”

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