On Saturday, April 19, the Ramapo softball team split their New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader against Richard Stockton here at Ramapo College. Stockton beat Ramapo in the first game 1-0. Things were looking up in the second game when Ramapo beat Stockton 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning to win game two.
Both games were pretty close. In game one, it wasn't until the fifth inning that Stockton scored their first and only run. Both teams had close plays throughout the rest of the game but nothing to make it to home plate.
In game two, the Roadrunners made a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Stockton then tried to make a comeback in the top of third to make it 2-3. The roadrunners never gave up home and fought to the end, scoring in the bottom of the eighth to make it to the final score of 4-3.
It was bittersweet for the team; they spilt the doubleheader but also honored their four seniors, and a junior who is leaving Ramapo. Junior Melanie Eskin and seniors Nicole Schneider, Caitlin Smith, Kristen Wilson and Harley Masiello all played their last home game of the regular season this past weekend.
Schneider gave an insight to the challenges the team had faced this season. She said, "This season we've had our ups and downs, getting a new coaching staff and everything. Also the weather didn't help with all of the new changes. We didn't practice outside until we were in Florida for spring training so that was definitely a challenge. We stuck together and worked hard, always having each other's backs."
She also spoke about what being a part of the senior class meant to her this season.
"As seniors, we built a foundation for future seniors. It's surreal that we are graduating in a few weeks and that our softball careers will be coming to an end."
It was a tough game for the team and fans, having to say goodbye to seniors and goodbye to the regular season.
"The season has been good. Everyone has been very open-minded, like we needed to be since we had a whole new coaching staff. The coaches had a lot of different ideas they introduced to the team in the short amount of time they had to get to know us," Wilson said. "As a senior it was hard to make an adjustment so quickly. Knowing I wouldn't have the time to fully develop their ideas. But the team has been great working and helping each other get better. We stuck together and made adjustments to everything as quickly as possible and made sure to have each other's back."
Their head coach Bridgette Quimpo said, "Senior day was special because it is a reminder to us that our time left here is limited and to appreciate these moments the best you can. I thought it was a special day for our seniors especially after beating Stockton in the bottom of the eighth."
The Roadrunners and the senior class will try to make a push into the NJAC tournament as the regular season winds down. They are currently 7-8 in the NJAC and holding onto the final tournament spot with doubleheaders against New Jersey City University and Kean to close out the season.
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cstedges@ramapo.edu
