SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 10 TCNJ softball team was defeated in both games of the doubleheader against Lynchburg on Saturday. The Lions mounted a comeback but fell just short, 8-7, in game one. In game two, the Hornets edged the Lions by a 3-1 final score. TCNJ fell to 3-2 on the young season, while Lynchburg improved to 7-4.
In game one, Lynchburg grabbed a 7-0 lead with two runs in the first inning and five in the third. The Lions got on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Katie Winchock drove in
Allie Immerso and
Julia Vardiman with an RBI base hit up the middle.
Marissa Devincenzo cut the deficit to 7-3 with an RBI groundout in the fourth inning. The Hornets pushed one over in the top of the fifth inning, but the Lions did not give up.
Lauren Conroy scored on an error to get the rally started in the bottom of the fifth. The next batter was
Elyse Nardozza who ripped a double to left field.
Jaclyn Carifi came around to score on an error by the left fielder to cut the Lynchburg lead to 8-5.
Devincenzo picked up another RBI with a base hit to pull the Lions within 8-6 in the sixth inning. The junior catcher has recorded four RBIs so far in the young season.
In the top of the seventh, the Hornets pushed a runner over to third with a sacrifice bunt and a groundout.
Ally Schlee stopped the scoring threat by forcing a groundout to keep the deficit at 8-6.
Conroy was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning, and Carifi reached on an error. Nardozza worked a walk, then
Alanna Namit came through with an RBI single to draw the Lions within 8-7. Lynchburg did not allow the tying run to cross, as the Hornets got a strikeout and fly-out to end the game.
In game two, both pitchers held the opposing offense scoreless through the first three innings. The Lions strung together a couple of hits and had an opportunity to score in the top of the fourth inning.
Camryn Davies and
Lindsay Zengel each picked up a two-out base hit, but the Hornets shut down the opportunity. Lynchburg pushed over three in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Lions countered with a run in the fifth inning. Namit knocked in Conroy with an RBI single to pull TCNJ within 3-1.
TCNJ loaded the bases in the sixth inning, but Lynchburg did not allow the Lions to score.
Megan Mayernik hit a double, then Davies reached first on an infield single. Zengel reached on a bunt single, but the Hornets got out of it by forcing an infield fly and a pair of ground outs.
Namit struck out seven batters on the afternoon received her first loss of the season.
Gillian Roberts threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Eliza Sweet took the loss in game one, also her first of the campaign. Schlee threw five relief innings and did not allow any earned runs in the first game.
Davies and Zengel both went 3-3 in game two, while Namit went 2-3 at the plate. Immerso went 2-4 in the first game.
TCNJ returns to the diamond tomorrow to face Salisbury. The teams will complete the game started on Feb. 16. TCNJ leads, 5-0, at the start of the bottom of the sixth inning. The Lions and Sea Gulls will then compete in the scheduled doubleheader.
