EWING, N.J. – The No. 22 TCNJ softball team began the 2024 season with a 6-1 loss against DeSales at Dr. June Walker Field on Tuesday afternoon.

After an initial pitcher's duel through the first four and a half innings with sophomore Elizabeth Gosse on the mound, the Lions (0-1) struck first when a timely Mckayla Yard sacrifice fly scored Julia Mayernik in the bottom of the fifth. However, the Bulldogs (1-0) responded quickly with a huge top of the sixth to eventually pull away with the victory.  

While the afternoon began warm and sunny during the first match of the initially scheduled doubleheader, dark clouds and a rainstorm rapidly approached as the game progressed. Ultimately, the inclement weather forced the second game of the day to be abruptly cut short in the third inning, with the game scoreless. A rescheduling of the match is doubtful and the game will most likely be canceled.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Taking the mound for the blue and gold, Gosse had a solid start to her afternoon by matching DeSales' Rachel Lowry in a back-and-forth pitcher's duel through the first five innings. The sophomore kept three baserunners from scoring in the first two innings, before fully settling in and forcing the Bulldogs into consecutive three up, three down appearances at the plate in the top of the third, fourth and fifth innings.
• In the bottom of the fifth, with Mayernik at third base and no outs, Yard launched a deep fly ball to left field for the sacrifice fly and scoring the much-needed first run to help the Lions finally break through. Mayernik led things off with a sharp single up the middle that was badly played by DeSales' centerfielder for an error, which allowed her to advance onto third base.
• The Bulldogs responded in the top of the sixth by dropping six runs, five being unearned, off six hits and capitalizing on a costly TCNJ error, to break the game open.

STANDOUT LIONS

• Freshman Maya Knasiak recorded her first collegiate hit in the bottom of the third on a single that dropped in right centerfield.
• Sophomore Camryn Kitchin saw her first hit of the season come in the bottom of the seventh.
• Alongside Knasiak, freshmen Taylor Freudenberg, Gianna Frino and Ryleigh Manning each made their official collegiate debuts in the top of the seventh on defense.

UP NEXT
The Lions will remain at home this weekend to host visiting NYU for a doubleheader. The match is currently scheduled for a Saturday noon start time, but could be pushed up to Friday. Updates for the official date and start times will be announced on TCNJAthletics.com in the coming days.