Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey dropped their opening game of the NCAA Tournament, falling 3-1 to Johnson & Wales University. The Wildcats improved to 32-11, while the 22^nd-ranked Lions fell to 31-9.
 
The Lions struck first in the bottom of the first. Lauren Conroy (Aberdeen, NJ/Matawan Regional) took a two-out pitch over the right center field fence to put TCNJ in front.
 
The Wildcats responded in the third. Brenna DuPerry reached after getting hit by a pitch. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, she was sacrificed to both third and around to score.
 
In the sixth, JWU broke the game open. With the bases loaded, Kristin Frost hit a grounder to short. The Lions attempted a play at the plate, but were unable to make the play. The Wildcats added another run with a sacrifice fly in the next at bat.
 
The Lions threatened briefly in their own half of the sixth when Gaby Bennett (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) reached on a single for her second hit of the game. After stealing a pair of bases Bennett stood on third, but Wildcats pitcher Jennifer Corona induced a fly ball to center to end the inning. Corona held the Lions to five hits in the game.
 
The Lions will now face Moravian College in an elimination game tomorrow, first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 PM.