Newport News, VA:  The #2 Ramapo College softball team fell to #4 Salem College 5-2 in the first elimination game of the Newport News Regional at the NCAA Softball Tournament.
 
The Roadrunners who are ranked #23 in the latest NFCA Top 25 poll, wrapped up the 2015 season with a 28-14-1 overall record. The program has posted 25 or more wins in 12 of the last 14 seasons. Salem (21-15-2) moves on to play Randolph-Macon College in the second elimination game of the day at 4pm, the winner will move on and play host #1 Christopher Newport University tomorrow at noon.
 
Ramapo got on the board early in the game when Danielle Saporito led off the top of the first with a bunt single before Kim LaPenta drove the first pitch she saw back up the middle and Mikayla Melendez laced a single to left to load the bases with no outs. Melissa Moreno came up big and laced a 3-2 into center field plating Saporito and LaPenta to take a 2-0 lead.
 
In the third Salem would connect on two two-run home runs to take the lead 4-2, both coming with two outs. Salem would add an insurance run in the sixth, extending their lead 5-2.
 
The Roadrunners would load the bases in the top of the seventh with one out before the Spirits got out of the jam with a game ending double play.
 
Katrina Buczkowski (14-7) took the loss for the Roadrunners, in 2.2 innings of work she walked three and only surrendered two hits while giving up three runs. Christina Brizek came on in relief in the third inning. She struck out one, walked two and surrendered four hits and two runs.
 
Ramapo collected nine hits in the game as LaPenta led the team going 2-4 with one run scored. Nicole Hernandez was 2-3 while Lima, Grace Brennan, Moreno, Melendez and Saporito each tallied one hit.