Weehawken, NJ: The Ramapo College softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader today against Stevens Institute of Technology, 11-7 & 7-5. The Roadrunners improve to 15-7 overall while the Ducks drop to 12-5-1 on the year.
Ramapo got on the board in game one in the second inning by scoring four runs on three hits while they were aided by two Stevens errors.
Mikayla Melendez walked to lead off the inning before she came around to score on a Duck throwing error to take a 1-0 lead.
Nicole Mahoney and
Nicole Hernandez singled before a sac bunt by
Jaclyn Lima was misplayed allowing both Mahoney and Hernandez to score while Lima advanced to third on the play. Lima then scored the fourth run of the inning on a pass ball, 4-0
Stevens scored two runs in the bottom of the third before Ramapo came back to score one run in the fourth when
Grace Brennan led off with a home run over the left field fence, 5-2. The Ducks scored two runs in the bottom half of the fourth on two RBI singles to come within one, 5-4, before Ramapo added six runs in the top of the sixth inning on three hits. With two outs, Brennan walked and stole second base before Hernandez and Lima each drew walks to load the bases.
Kim LaPenta drew a bases loaded walk to push home one run before
Melissa Moreno drove home two with a single to right field.
Melanie Walling then ripped a double to left field allowing LaPenta and Moreno to come around and score for an 11-4 lead.
The Ducks got back three runs in the bottom of the seventh when Jessica Rees homered over the left field fence, 11-7.
Paige Merle came in relief for Ramapo and struck out the side.
Danielle Saporito, Mahoney and Hernandez all collected two hits apiece for the Roadrunners while Moreno and Walling each collected two RBI.
Christina Brizek (5-4) earned the win on the mound for the Roadrunners. She struck out two, walked five and scattered eight hits in six full innings of work. Merle came in relief in the bottom of the seventh, facing three batters and recording three straight strikeouts.
In game two, Ramapo used a three-run fourth and a four-run seventh to take the game 7-5. Stevens led 3-0 heading into the top of the fourth inning before Ramapo tied the game with three runs of their own. With two outs in the inning, Hernandez, Melendez and Lima all singled to load the bases before Saporito laced a single into left field plating Melendez with the team's first run. LaPenta then ripped a double to right field allowing Hernandez and Lima to come around to score to tie the game at three.
In the fifth inning, Stevens took a 5-3 lead on a two-run home run before Ramapo came back to score four runs in the top of the seventh inning. LaPenta led off with a bunt single before Moreno ripped a single up the middle. She was lifted for pinch runner
Emily Helmer before Walling drove a pitch into center field allowing LaPenta to score.
Olivia D'Amato then pinch ran for Walling before Brennan recorded an infield single. Mahoney drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game at five before Melendez doubled to left field, allowing Brennan and D'Amato to come around and score for the 7-5 lead.
Katrina Buczkowski (7-4) earned the win in relief. She struck out three walked one and scattered seven hits over the final four innings. Merle started the game for the Roadrunners earning the no-decision. She struck out three, did not walk a batter and scattered five hits over three innings of work.
LaPenta finished the game 3-4 with two RBI and one runs scored. She also collected her 100th career hit in the third inning. Melendez was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with two RBI and one run scored while Lima finished 2-4 with one run scored and one stolen base.
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday when they travel to NJAC rival William Paterson University. The doubleheader will start at 1pm.
