Prior to their first game, Rowan hadn’t beaten Salisbury in a softball in over a decade. But, No. 4 Rowan softball (47-2) was able to take care of business as their incredible season will continue on. The Profs defeated the No. 8 Salisbury Seagulls (36-7-1) in a double header Friday, May 23, in Glassboro by final scores of 15-1 and 6-2, respectively, and clinched their third-straight berth to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship with their win in game 2.

Game 1 of the day’s double header saw the Profs score six runs in the first inning as they attacked Salisbury’s starting pitcher Sydney Adolfson. Adolfson was the Seagull’s best pitcher all-season, owning a 1.35 ERA up until her team’s meeting with the Profs. 

Salisbury would score their sole run in the second, but the Profs were up 15-1 before the fourth even had ended. Breanna Bryant was 3-for-3 in this game with 3 RBIs, Glassboro Super Regional Most Outstanding Player McKenzie Melvin was 2-for-3, and shortstop Payton MacNair scored four runs as well. The game would only go five after a mercy rule forced an end to a dominant outing for Rowan’s offense.

Bryant was a key contributor in game 1 and has been one of the best hitters on the team with runners in scoring position. She has 39 RBIs this season, which is third best on the team.

“We tend to leave runners on sometimes in closer games,” Bryant said. “It’s about not putting pressure on myself and knowing when to put a good swing on the ball to try to get those runs in.”

Most Outstanding Pitcher of the Super Regionals Rylee Lutz also had a classic outing in game 1. She went the distance in this game, only needing to toss five innings. Lutz also dished out seven strikeouts, her first time reaching that marker since March 18. 

“I knew they had some really good hitters, so mostly just keeping them on their toes, going in, out, up, down, slowing the speeds, everything. I was just trying to mix as much as possible.” Lutz said. “Obviously, a lot of runs definitely helps less stress on me. The defense behind me has been great all year, too, so just less pressure, more fun, and trying to keep them off the base as much as possible to help my team.” 

Game 2 started off on a different foot. Salisbury jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning courtesy of a 2 RBI single from catcher Emily Stockman off of Emily McCutcheon. McCutcheon would lock down the Seagulls for the final six innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four to collect her 21st win of the season.

The damage in the first was all Salisbury would do the rest of the game, because in the second inning the Profs would put up three runs of their own. Right fielder Zara MacNair would get Rowan’s first run, reaching on an error and scoring designated player Aly Reim. Salisbury had four errors in this game, which helped the Profs get baserunners and score more runs and total six in game 2 and punch their ticket to the Championship.

Even though the Profs have taken three straight trips to the Softball Championship, head coach Kim Wilson is making sure her team always cherishes moments like these.

“There’s been so many milestones for the players, me as a coach, as a program, and all the things. And I don’t think any one of those things, they’ve taken for granted,” Wilson said. “And at the end of the day, we’ve been there two years, and it’s important to cherish this, because there’s no guarantee you’re ever going to get back there.” 

Now, the Profs turn their sights towards Bloomington, IL, where this year’s NCAA Division III Softball Championship is being hosted at Illinois-Wesleyan University. Starting on Thursday, May 29, Rowan will be competing alongside seven other schools for the title. Last year, they exited the tournament after falling to the 2024 national champions East Texas Baptist, a team who did not make it out of the Super Regionals in 2025. They lose both their games to Texas Lutheran on May 23-24, opening the door for a new national champion to be crowned.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]