EWING, N.J. – Using a huge four run bottom of the sixth, the second-seeded TCNJ Softball team pulled away late against third-seeded Ramapo, 7-3, in the NJAC Second Round on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lions (27-9) held off a late-game comeback from the Roadrunners (30-11-1) to advance onto the third round of the NJAC Tournament's winner's bracket. The blue and gold totaled eight walks alongside nine hits and scored four big runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away. The victory pushed the Lions' winning streak to a dozen games.

Sophomore Mckayla Yard struck first for the Lions in the bottom of first by driving in the first run of the game on a deep sacrifice fly to leftfield, scoring senior Kaci Neveling on the tag from third. Neveling led things off with a walk before stealing second, Julia Kinnally drew a walk of her own to put two on before Julia Mayernik loaded the bases with the third walk to start the game.  

TCNJ tacked on another run an inning later. Senior Alexis Rizzo landed a leadoff single to right field before advancing to scoring position on a passed ball. Couple batters later, with two outs and Rizzo on third, Neveling drove her in on a bouncing single up the middle which evaded a diving effort from Ramapo's shortstop.

Ramapo would slash the Lions' lead in half in the top of the fourth with a solo shot to leftfield.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, the Lions turned to senior ace Ally Schlee from the bullpen, who promptly ended the inning by forcing a groundout to third. Freshman Elizabeth Gosse ended her day with a stellar 4.2 innings on the mound, conceding just a lone run and three hits.

Kitchin responded with a home run of her own to deep centerfield in the bottom half of the inning, putting the Lions back up by two runs, 3-1.

The top of the sixth saw the Roadrunners capitalize on a bases loaded situation with two outs after a single bounced up the middle to score two, tying the game.

The tie only lasted momentarily, as the Lions immediately took the lead back in the bottom half after a Kinnally double to deep right centerfield scored Jaclyn Carifi from first. The centerfielder led off the inning with a single. Following Kinnally, Mayernik drew a walk to put two on, and with two outs Alexis Rizzo drove both in with a double to left field. Freshman Ashley O'Hagan entered the game on second as a pinch runner, and was quickly driven in by Rachel Alecci, who drove a double to deep left centerfield to make it 7-3 Lions.

For her efforts in relief, Schlee picked up her fourth win of the season. 

UP NEXT
The Lions will head down to Glassboro for the third round of the Conference Tournament. They will take on top-seeded Rowan, who won their second round matchup against 2-0. Check the team schedule page later in the week for updates on official time of the game.