Box score

Providence, RI... The College of New Jersey softball team saw its season come to a close as they dropped a 6-3 decision to Moravian College.

The loss eliminates the Lions from the 2010 NCAA Regional Championships. TCNJ finished with a season record of 33-10.

TCNJ battled their way into the play-in game after defeating Wesleyan University 8-0. But Moravian (33-12) took command from the start as they plated three runs before the Lions recorded an out. After back-to-back singles to open the game, third baseman Shannon Mohr blasted a three-run home run to left field providing the Greyhounds a three-run cushion before the Lions got to the plate.

The Lions battled putting runners in scoring position in the second and third innings, but failed to capitalize off starting pitcher Jenna Carmon. Down 5-0 entering the fourth frame, TCNJ finally broke through when sophomores Michelle Kent (Sparta, NJ/Pope John) and Crystal Lee (Dover, NJ/Morris Knolls) laced run-scoring singles to close the gap to 5-2.

Senior Dani Hagel (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Oakcrest) made it a two-run game driving a base hit up the middle in the fifth to score senior Ellen Seavers (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood), who had singled earlier in the inning. Hagel finished the game with a pair of hits and an RBI.

But the Greyhounds responded with a run in the sixth and held on to advance to the championship round this afternoon against Kean University. The Cougars have to defeat Moravian twice to advance to the College World Series.

The Lions outhit the Greyhounds 12-8, but the big blow by Mohr in the first and three defensive errors made it too difficult to overcome a talented Moravian squad.

Senior Ashley Minervini (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) pitched five innings giving up six hits, surrendering six runs (four earned), and walking none. Sophomore Lauren Fitzsimmons (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater Raritan) came on for Minervini in the sixth and gave up two hits, no runs, while striking out a batter.

Lee, Cawley, and freshman Kelly Hommen (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) also had two hits for TCNJ.

Lee hit .538 in the NCAA tournament going 7-for-13 with a double, triple, two runs batted in, and a stolen base. Hommen hit .571 notching four hits in seven at bats, including three walks and three sacrifices. Freshman Ashley Sogluizzo (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) also excelled on offense in returning to the line-up after an injury in the conference tournament. She was 4-for-10 (.400), scored three runs, and stole three bases.