Mahwah, NJ: The #4 seeded College of New Jersey softball team defeated #3 seeded Ramapo College today in the first round of the NJAC Tournament. The Lions move to 26-8 overall while the Roadrunners stand at 25-9 overall.
TCNJ advances to game six of the tournament and will take on #2 Kean University on Friday, May 6th at 6pm. Kean University serves as the host for the remainder of the tournament.
It was a pitcher's duel as Ramapo starting pitcher
Mahogany Wheeler and TCNJ starting pitcher Ally Schlee worked a scoreless game into heading into the top of the sixth inning. Ramapo's best chance to score came in the third inning.
Nicole Cerasi walked before
Jaclyn Monaco put down a bunt single for the first hit for either team to put runners on first and second with just one out. A fielder's choice from
Krista Verrino forced Monaco out at second to put runners on the corners with two outs. Schlee induced a hard hit ground out to end the Ramapo threat and hold onto the scoreless game.
The Lions earned their first hit of the game in the fifth inning before they would score the eventual game-winning run in the sixth inning. Kaci Neveling reached on a leadoff walk before she stole second base. Lauren Conroy came up big for the Lions with a hard hit single into left-center field which allowed Neveling to score for the 1-0 lead. TCNJ held the Roadrunners in their final two at bats to hold onto the one-run victory.
Schlee (13-1) struck out two, walked one and gave up just one hit for TCNJ in the circle. Conroy, Kayla Hillenbrand and Julia Kinnally each collected one hit for the Lions.
Wheeler (10-7) took the tough loss in the circle for Ramapo, she struck out one, walked three and gave up just three hits.
Marissa DiPaolo worked the final inning in relief with one strikeout and one walk.
Ramapo will now take on #1 Rowan University on Friday, May 6th at Kean in game five of the tournament. The game is slated to begin at 4pm.
