Newark, N.J. … The College of New Jersey softball team split a double-header with Rutgers-Newark this afternoon. The Lions dropped the first game 3-0, but took the lead early in the second game. They continued to build that lead and came away with an 8-2 victory. TCNJ improves to 20-11 overall and 7-3 in NJAC play, which currently puts them in first place of the conference.
 
Senior Deanna Utter (Byram, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) hit a milestone in the second game as she recorded her 100th career hit.
 
Game 1: TCNJ 0, Rutgers-Newark 3
 
Rutgers-Newark got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning and never relinquished the lead.
 
The Scarlet Raiders added two more runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
Katie Hourihan (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) got the start on the mound for the Lions. She pitched three and one third innings and struck out two batters. Sara Bielamowicz (Lawrence Township, NJ/Lawrence) came in for relief in the fourth and struck out one while allowing no hits for the remainder of the game.
 
Leading the TCNJ offense were Jess McGuire (Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central Regional) and Steph Vuono (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern), going 1-for-2 and 1-for-3 from the plate respectively.
 
 
Game 2: TCNJ 8, Rutgers-Newark 2
 
The Lions came out strong in the second game, taking a 2-0 lead in their first at bat.
 
Vuono started things off with a single to left field and advanced to second on a ground out by Jamie Purcell (Nutley, NJ/Mount Saint Dominic Academy). Utter singled to left field to drive in Vuono and then advanced to second. Gaby Bennett (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) reached first and advanced to second on an error, which allowed Utter to make it home.
 
TCNJ added two more runs in the third inning when Jenna Schwartz (Branchburg, NJ/Somerville) singled to drive in Nerylix Cerda (North Bergen, NJ/High Tech) and Jess Santelli (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough).
 
Rutgers-Newark loaded the bases in the fourth but the Lions got out of the jam to keep the 4-0 lead. But in their next at bat, the Scarlet Raiders cut that lead in half when they scored two runs.
 
In the fifth inning, Madison Levine (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) doubled down the left field line and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by McGuire. Santelli singled to center to get Levine home. She then stole second and made it to third on another sacrifice bunt, this one by Daniella Marino (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan). Kristen Fitzsimmons (Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) hit a single to left field to drive Santelli in for the Lion's sixth run.
 
The Lions extended their lead to 8-2 in the top of the seventh. Utter recorded her 100th career hit to start off the inning.  Bennett also singled to get on base and send Utter to second. Levine singled to center but Utter ended up out at third on the play. McGuire got her second double of the afternoon and picked up two RBI's on that blast to left field.
 
Sam Platt (Cedar Grove, NJ/Mount Saint Dominic Academy) pitched the entire game to earn her 12th win of the season. She struck out five batters during the victory.
 
Santelli and Utter both went 3-for-4 from the plate with one RBI. McGuire was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
 
The Lions return to action on April 19 when they host Stockton University for a conference doubleheader. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. start with the second to follow at 5 p.m.