Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College softball team split a non-conference double header against Stevens Institute of Technology today at the Athletic Center. The Roadrunners earned a 5-1 win in game one while the Ducks held off a Ramapo comeback in game two, 4-2. Ramapo now stands at 11-9 overall while the Ducks move to 7-9 on the year.
Game One
The Roadrunners scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a quick lead.
Jackie Howarth was hit by a pitch to lead off the game, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Krista Verrino then laced a double to the right-center field gap, platting Howarth with the game's first run, 1-0.
Carli Egan beat out an infield single to put runners on first and third with no outs while Verrino later scored on a fielder's choice for the 2-0 lead.
Ramapo added one run in the third as Verrino and
Kristen Ruggiero pulled a double steal, the throw from the Ducks catcher at third base sailed wide allowing Verrino to score, 3-0. Stevens scored their lone run in the top of the fifth inning. Katie Tirabassi plated Julia DeCadia when she beat out an infield single to shortstop, 3-1.
The Roadrunners tacked on two more runs in the fifth to extend their lead. Verrino and Egan ripped back-to-back doubles for the first run of the inning as Verrino touched home plate before
Harper Patsko brought home pinch runner
Kasie McNichol with a suicide squeeze for the 5-1 lead.
Ramapo starting pitcher Jessica Bechetti worked out of a jam in the sixth to preserve the lead. With two outs and runners on second and third, Becchetti induced a ground out to end the inning and hold the 5-1 lead.
Erin Fitzsimmons worked the seventh inning for Ramapo facing the minimum number of batters as Ramapo won 5-1. Becchetti (5-2) struck out one, walked six and scattered five Duck hits in six innings of work.
Verrino led the Roadrunners at the plate finishing 3-4 with three runs scored and one RBI while Egan finished 2-3 with one RBI.
Game Two
Stevens took a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning and added one more run for a 2-0 lead. DeCandia laced a single down the right field line in the fourth allowing Lexi Gregule to score.
Ramapo would tie the game in the fifth with two runs on two hits. With two outs and a runner on first, Verrino poked a single to right field as Howarth advanced to third and Verrino moved to second on the relay throw in from the outfield.
Olivia Wang then drove home both runs with a single to left field to tie the game up, 2-2.
Stevens took a 4-2 lead in the sixth scoring two runs on three hits. Ramapo looked to come back in the bottom of the seventh before the Ducks were able to record an unconventional double play to end the game. McNichol walked and Howarth singled to left to put runners on first and second with one out. Verrino then stepped to the plate hit the fifth pitch she saw on a line drive into the right-center field gap. Stevens right fielder Siobhan Cottell turned and sprinted to the and caught the ball on a line drive out. The Ducks were able to double off Howarth at first base on the play to end the game and earn the 4-2 win.
Kristen Ruggiero (1-1) took the loss on the mound for the Roadrunners, she struck out two and walked four while she scattered nine hits. Howarth finished 3-4 with one run scored while Wang went 2-3 with two RBI in the game.
The Roadrunners return to action on Saturday, April 6th when they travel to William Paterson University for a NJAC double header at 1pm.
