In their first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action of the year against The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) on March 30, the Ramapo College softball team increased their winning streak to seven games. The Roadrunners won game one of the doubleheader 9-1, and the second game 2-1.
In game one, Kaci Neveling of TCNJ put a run on the board first with an RBI triple in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Avery Kontura homered for Ramapo, tying the game at one a piece.
Later in the inning, infielder Katie Rygiel singled home Kori Gargiulo. Meanwhile, pitcher Mahogany Wheeler was hit by a pitch while the bases were loaded and catcher Hannah Hensler scored, 3-1.
Infielder Avery Bartolomeo extended the lead with an RBI double plating outfielder Lia Milsom and Rygiel, making the score 6-1. In the fifth inning, Rygiel, Wheeler and catcher Alexis Corra each drove in RBIs to give the Roadrunners a 9-1 lead.
Finally, pitcher Marissa DiPaolo struck out three players, walked none and surrendered one hit and one run in the game victory. The game was called after only going five of the scheduled seven innings.
In game two, TCNJ pitcher Maya Knasiak put the Lions on the board with a home run in the second before Bartolomeo tied things up with a sac fly to right field plating Rygiel.
The game was tied in the top of the seventh when pitcher Brooke Knight went to the mound with two outs and runners on first and second. She worked a 3-2 count before recording a strikeout, giving the Roadrunners the chance to sweep the doubleheader with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
With one out, Bartolomeo singled to right field. She was then replaced on the basepaths by Clay’le Correa-Vanness, who immediately stole second base. Kontura then came up and drilled a 3-2 pitch into right-center field and plated the game-winning run.
Up next for the Roadrunners, they’ll face off against William Paterson University in a doubleheader on Saturday in Wayne, and then travel to Camden to play a doubleheader against Rutgers-Camden University on Sunday afternoon. Both opponents are in the NJAC, so the games will be very important for the Roadrunners’ standing.
pbortner@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Jenna Barnes
