EWING, N.J. – The 15^th ranked TCNJ softball team began the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship tournament with a 3-2 victory over Stockton on Tuesday afternoon in an exciting game.

The top-seeded Lions  were trailing early on, as a solo home run from Casey Schieda put the Ospreys on top 1-0 in the first inning. TCNJ countered with an RBI sacrifice fly from Jess McGuire in the bottom half of the first inning.

Stockton scored on a safety squeeze in the second inning, yet the Lions tied up the game again in the following frame. TCNJ struck even with an RBI groundout off the bat of Megan Mayernik.

In the fifth inning, the Ospreys mounted a scoring threat as they had runners on first and second with no outs. After a pop out on a failed bunt attempt, Lauren Conroy turned a double play to get out of the inning. She stepped on third then gunned down the runner heading to first.

In the next half inning, Conroy untied the game with one swing of the bat. She hit a screaming line drive to right field that bounced off the top of the wall and went over the fence. The homer was her fourth on the year.

In the seventh, Stockton once again poised a scoring threat, yet relief pitcher Eliza Sweet was able to pitch out of trouble. After two singles, Mayernik got the lead runner on a force to third, then the second out came on a line drive to Conroy. Mayernik sealed the win with a diving catch on a low line drive to give the Lions the victory.

Sweet came on in relief of starting pitcher Alanna Namit, and Sweet kept the Osprey offense in check. She earned the win to improve to 14-3 on the year. Sweet pitched four innings and did not allow a run. 

The NJAC Championship Tournament will resume this Friday, with the rest of the games to be played at TCNJ. Check njacsports.com for an updated bracket this evening.