GLASSBORO, N.J. – The TCNJ Softball team suffered a pair of heartbreaking losses Tuesday afternoon against No. 15 Rowan in a nail-biting doubleheader.

Game one saw the Lions (15-9, 5-3 NJAC) nearly pull off a magical last minute comeback to tie a match that they trailed from nearly start to finish. The second half of the doubleheader was a pitcher's duel in which blue and gold defended a narrow lead for most of the game before the Profs (25-3, 8-0 NJAC) tied it late and walking off in extra innings.

GAME ONE (Rowan 4, TCNJ 3)
Following a Mckayla Yard leadoff triple in the top of the second, the Lions found themselves in prime scoring position to strike first early on the day. However, she was left stranded as TCNJ was unable to capitalize and bring the sophomore home.

In the bottom half, the Profs scored three runs after hitting two consecutive doubles with two runners on.

The Lions responded in the top of the third with a run of their own when Julia Kinnally drove in Kaci Neveling from second with a single that ripped right up the middle. The hit represented the 100^th of the junior's career.

Two innings later, Rowan once again went up by three runs after two doubles in the inning drove in their fourth run of the game. The Lions found themselves down 1-4.

Freshman Camryn Kitchin responded with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, scoring Kinnally who led off with a double down the left field line.

With Reina Jeronimo promptly entering the game as a pinch runner on second, the Lions third run of the game was unfortunately cut short at home plate when Rowan's left fielder threw out Jeronimo at the plate on a Rachel Alecci single that dropped just shallow enough. TCNJ would enter the final frame facing a 2-4 deficit.

In the top of the seventh with two outs and Neveling on first, the Lions found life at the last minute when Jaclyn Carifi singled to center field on a play that resulted in Neveling scoring due to a throwing error by the centerfielder. Suddenly, the Lions found themselves down just one and the tying run in scoring position on second.

Stepping up to the plate, Kinnally had a chance to complete the Lions comeback. However, on a 2-2 count, the junior was forced into a groundout to first, ending the game aburptly.

On the mound, freshman star Elizabeth Gosse collected four strikeouts in six innings pitched. Following a rocky second inning, the freshman bounced up by largely cruising through her final four innings by stranding multiple Profs baserunners and keeping the game within striking range.  

Carifi and Kinnally each finished with two hits in game one, and Ashley O'Hagan collected a hit with a walk. Overall the Lions offense amassed eight hits and a walk.

GAME TWO (Rowan 3, TCNJ 2 – 8 Innings)
Similar to the first game, TCNJ began game two with Kaci Neveling launching a pitch deep to left centerfield, dropping in the gap between the Profs centerfielder and right fielder for a leadoff triple. Following an infield hit by Jaclyn Carifi, Neveling was driven in by Julia Kinnally on a single that bounced through the left side of the infield. This time, the Lions found themselves up by one run early.

On the mound, sophomore Julia Roessler pitched a stellar game on the mound as she defended the lead for the first five innings of the game in shutout fashion. Roessler was assisted by Kinnally, who flashed the glove behind her at shortstop to rob multiple Rowan hits.

In the top of the sixth, TCNJ threatened to break the game open when the Lions loaded the bases with two outs. After a Rachel Alecci walk, Julia Mayernik would single to left field before Camryn Davies was hit by a high pitch. This brought up the top of order, led by Neveling who immediately drew a walk to score TCNJ's second run of the game. However, TCNJ's scoring ended there as a groundout ended the top half of the inning.

Rowan responded by loading the bases themselves in the bottom half with no outs, before tying the game on a groundout and sacrifice fly to centerfield. Coming in relief, senior Gillian Roberts forced a fly out to keep the Profs from taking the lead.

The game would eventually end in extra innings, when the Profs walked it off with a single to right field to score the winning run.

Roessler pitched a stellar 5.2 innings that saw her strike out two and only concede a lone earned run. At the plate, Kinnally had herself a three-hit day alongside her stellar defensive display. Mckayla Yard recorded two hits. Overall, TCNJ had nine total hits and two walks in game two.

UP NEXT
The Lions look to bounce back Saturday in the annual Cancer Awareness Game at Dr. June Walker Field against visiting William Paterson. The first pitch is scheduled for a noon time start.