Ramapo has a new hit queen. Against Rutgers-Camden University last Tuesday, senior infielder Katie Rygiel roped a single into center field, placing her at 209 hits for her career — the most ever by a Roadrunner. Rygiel has been soaring to the top of the Ramapo softball record books this season, becoming the Roadrunner’s all-time leader in hits, doubles and RBIs.
Rygiel’s record-breaking hit was one of many the Roadrunners tallied against Rutgers-Camden en route to a doubleheader sweep. In game one, Ramapo took an early 4-0 lead thanks to some errors from Camden, as well as getting on base six times in the second inning.
Kassy Stefanski was in the circle for Ramapo, tossing a complete game — her sixth of the season — to go along with five strikeouts and just one run allowed. For Stefanski, the win was number seven on the year for the junior, and she lowered her season ERA to 1.41.
In game two, Stefanski’s ace-counterpart Marissa DiPaolo was in the circle and tossed another complete game for the Roadrunners — this being her seventh of the year. DiPaolo has also climbed the ladder of several Ramapo records this year, including recording her 45th career win, which places her top five all-time. Additionally, DiPaolo’s 260 strikeouts rank in the top 10 all-time, and if her 1.01 ERA on the season holds, it would be good for the sixth lowest ever by a Roadrunner.
DiPaolo tossed five innings before the game was called due to the mercy rule, allowed no earned runs on five hits and tallied a pair of strikeouts. Ramapo’s offense got out to a slow start, being held scoreless through the first two innings, before scoring nine in their final three innings of play.
The Roadrunners had six different players record at least one RBI, including two from senior Ysabellah Otero and two from junior Kori Gargiulo. Additionally, junior Avery Kontura’s first inning single was her 100th career hit. Kontura is now hitting .406 this season, getting on base 48% of the time, leading to being named one of the National Coaches Association’s Player of the Year candidates.
Ramapo walked off into a mercy victory in the bottom of the fifth, with the game-sealing run coming via a hit by pitch on Gargiulo that scored Sonali Rodriguez. The win moved Ramapo to 17-2 overall on the season and 3-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
On Sunday afternoon, Ramapo hosted William Paterson University for another NJAC doubleheader and once again completed a sweep. Stefanski began game one in the circle for the Roadrunners, allowing just one hit but only staying in for two-and-one-third innings. Brooke Knight came in relief for Stefanski and recorded the win after allowing two runs in four-and-two-thirds innings.
After some back-and-forth action that kept the game tied into the seventh inning, Ramapo’s offense finally broke through and walked off thanks to a single from freshman Rebecca Airel that scored Kontura, giving the Roadrunners a 4-3 win.
In game two, the Roadrunner offense regained their spark and took control early, including scoring six runs in the second inning. It was an all-around effort for Ramapo as seven of the team’s nine starters recorded at least one hit, including Otero, who reached base three times and scored once. Otero was named NJAC Player of the Week on Monday.
Pitching for the Roadrunners was DiPaolo, who continued her stellar season, tossing another complete game and allowing just one run. Ramapo walked off into a mercy rule win for the second time in the week, with Otero recording the game-sealing RBI, a double that scored Gargiulo.
The Roadrunners now stand at 19-2 overall and 5-1 in the NJAC. The team will face their toughest test of the season by far on Saturday, set to face off against 28-0 Rowan University in an NJAC showdown in Glassboro. If Ramapo is able to come away with a sweep, they would likely clinch first place in the NJAC playoffs that begin at the end of April.
wjackso2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics
