MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Highlighted by a dominant victory against Ithaca, the TCNJ Softball team split a pair of games at the NMB Sport Complex on Sunday.

After cruising to a third straight victory in the morning, the Lions (3-1) dealt with raining conditions throughout the afternoon in their game against Scranton to pick up their first loss of the year.

TCNJ 7, Ithaca 2
The Lions' first game of the day saw a dominant performance on the mound from freshman pitcher Elizabeth Gosse, who followed up her NCAA debut yesterday in relief with a complete-game gem in her first ever start. Gosse led TCNJ with her eight total strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched, while surrendering just six hits and two earned runs.

The performance marked the second win of her career in as many appearances.

Leading off the bottom of the first with a walk, senior Kaci Neveling promptly stole second base before taking third on a Wild pitch. Runners were placed at corners when Graduate student Camryn Davies followed up with a walk of her own. Back to back perfectly-placed bunts from the Lions kept the offense moving. Julia Mayernik reached safely with her bunt to score Neveling for the first TCNJ run of the day. Right behind her, Julia Kinnally loaded the bases when the Bombers were unable to handle her bunt in time.
 
Senior Jaclyn Carifi tripled the Lions lead with a double down the left field line to score Davies and Mayernik, making it 3-0 TCNJ. The final run of the inning was driven in by Ashley O'Hagan, who scored Kinnally from third after putting the ball in play with one out.
 
The Bombers cut the lead in half in the top of the third, as Ithaca drove in two runs after collecting three hits in the inning. With two outs, Sela Scheinman doubled to left field to score Olivia Comolli from second, and Hudson Hassler followed up with a single through the left side to score Scheinman.
 
TCNJ pulled away in the bottom of the fifth inning. Neveling led off with a double before advancing to third off a sacrifice bunt by Davies. Mayernik drew a one out walk, and immediately stole second to put two in scoring position. This set up Kinnally's bases-clearing triple to right center that put the Lions up 6-2. Carifi ballooned the Lions lead to five runs when she put the ball in play to allow Kinnally to reach home.
 
For the Lions offense, Neveling finished 2-for-2 (1 double), scoring 2 runs and recording a walk and steal apiece. Mayernik hit 2-for-2 (1 triple) with an RBI, scoring 2 runs with a walk. Kinnally went 2-for-2, with 2 RBIs and 2 runs. Carifi hit for a double and 3 RBIs.
 
Scranton 11, TCNJ 1 (5 Innings)
 
The second game of the day got away from TCNJ almost as quickly as it began, with the Royals scoring five runs in the top of the first. Scranton would balloon the lead to nine runs in the second.

After a stellar first start of the season yesterday, sophomore Julia Roessler pitched a brilliant final three innings in relief that saw her not give up a hit or walk while recording a strikeout.

The Lions finally scored in the bottom of the fifth when Alexis Rizzo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Mckayla Yard.

With an off day on Monday, the Lions will return to action on Tuesday against Muhlenberg and McDaniel.