GLASSBORO, N.J. – Highlighted by a timely double and a three-hit shutout, the TCNJ Softball team defeated Ramapo, 4-0, in the 2023 NJAC Title game on Sunday.

The second-seeded Lions (29-9) edged out the third-seeded Roadrunners (32-12-1) to take home their first conference title since 2021 and the third title since 2019. The victory caps off a perfect 4-0 record in the NJAC Tournament and extends TCNJ's total win streak to 14 games.

In what began as a pitcher's duel, freshman star Elizabeth Gosse put together another terrific start, shutting out the Roadrunners through the first five innings while giving up just three hits.

The Lions threatened in the top of the third, putting runners at the corners after super senior Camryn Davies and senior Kaci Neveling led off with a pair of singles. However, the blue and gold weren't able to capitalize as the Roadrunners escaped unscathed.

TCNJ found themselves in a similar situation in the top of the fifth as, with two outs, the Lions had Neveling on second and fellow senior Jaclyn Carifi on first. After both runners advanced up one on a wild pitch, Player of the Year Julia Kinnally capitalized with an emphatic double deep down left field to put the Lions up 2-0.

In the bottom of the sixth, senior Ally Schlee came in relief of Gosse after a leadoff triple from Ramapo. Schlee would quickly record a lineup, before tagging out the runner at home on a nice play from Mayernik after an initial passed ball enticed the Roadrunner to advance from third. The third out came in the form of a popup to Davies at second to end the inning.

The Lions doubled their lead with two insurance runs in the seventh. Davies would score the first run on Carifi's at bat, as a throwing error from the Ramapo third baseman allowed her to reach home safely. Carifi would reach third base on the play. Following a Kinnally walk, Mayernik would send the Lions centerfielder home on a sacrifice fly to right field for the fourth run of the game.

Closing out the game in the bottom of the seventh, Schlee quickly generated a groundout to Kinnally at shortstop, before forcing two flyouts to Carifi at centerfield to officially clinch the NJAC trophy for the Lions.

On the mound, Gosse collected her 14^th win on the year, while Schlee recorded her second consecutive save.

Davies led the TCNJ offense with three hits, and Neveling added on two hits of her own.

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Having clinched the automatic qualifier alongside the NJAC title, the Lions will now await their matchups for the Regional round of the NCAA Tournament in the selection show this upcoming Monday.