EWING, N.J. – The No. 25 TCNJ softball team clutched out a major game two comeback to secure the home sweep of Muhlenberg at Dr. June Walker Field on Friday afternoon.

The Lions (11-3) took game one of the doubleheader, 3-1, off a pair of home runs from the catching duo of Julia Mayernik and Sara Vincent, as well as a complete game, six strikeout performance in the circle from freshman Maya Knasiak for her second career victory.

In game two, with Muhlenberg (12-5) up big on TCNJ in the late innings, the blue and gold's offense came alive and scored seven runs in the fifth and sixth frames to come away with the 8-6 victory. With the game tied in the sixth, senior Julia Kinnally delivered the winning shot on a two-run double that essentially ended the game, as the match was soon called off early due to darkness. Sophomore Elizabeth Gosse earned her second win on the season in relief.

GAME ONE (TCNJ 3, MUHLENBERG 1)

• In the top of the first, the Mules dealt the first strike by successfully bringing their runner on third base home on an RBI groundout.
• The Lions answered in the bottom of the third by taking the lead on an emphatic two-run homer from Mayernik to deep centerfield, marking her first on the season. The dinger drove in sophomore Morgan Estelow, who led off the inning on a single to right field.
• A much needed insurance run was delivered in the bottom of the sixth by Vincent, who wasted no time after being inserted as the pinch hitter by launching a home run of her own down left centerfield.
• Knasiak slammed the door shut on Muhlenberg in the top of the seventh, striking out the final two batters looking to cap off a stellar complete game performance in the circle.

GAME TWO (TCNJ 8, MUHLENBERG 6 – 6 INNINGS)

• The Lions struck first in the bottom of the first inning off the baserunning threat of super senior Kaci Neveling. After successfully stealing second following a leadoff single, the TCNJ centerfielder's aggressive stolen base attempt of third base was not only successful, but resulted in her scoring after a throwing error by the Muhlenberg catcher on the throw down.
• However, the Mules responded by five straight unanswered runs in the following four innings, four of which came in the second and third frames.
• With their backs to the wall, and the chances of the game being called off early due to darkness becoming a real possibility, TCNJ's offense promptly came alive in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring seven runs to beat out the remaining sunlight and stealing the game from the Mules.
• In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore Camryn Kitchin led off with a double to left field and scored the first run when sophomore Gianna Vazquez's steal attempt of second resulted in a throwing error on the throw down attempt by the Mules catcher.
• Neveling drove in Vazquez for the second run on a hard double to centerfield. The third run of the inning was driven in on Kinnally, who singled up the middle to score Neveling and cutting the deficit down to 5-4.
• After Muhlenberg tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth, the Lions responded in the bottom half by loading the bases with one out to set up a big four run inning.
• Freshman Taylor Freudenberg singled through the right side to drive in classmate Ryleigh Manning for the first run, before Estelow was hit by the Mules pitcher to tie the game. Kinnally would record the pseudo walk off on a clutch double down the rightfield line, driving in two baserunners to give Lions the 8-6 lead.

STANDOUT LIONS

• Kinnally recorded three hits on the day alongside three RBIs. The senior also stole her first base on the season. In the fifth inning of game two, Kinnally recorded her 150th career hit as a Lion on her RBI single that scored Neveling.
• Neveling finished 3-for-8, recording a triple and double while stealing three bases.
• Mayernik hit 2-for-3 with two RBIs in game one.
• Kitchin had herself a two hit game in the second match, while also scoring a pair of runs.

TCNJ TEAM BREAKDOWN

• Game one: TCNJ recorded nine hits (three for extra bases) and stole two bases as a team.
• Game two: Lions finished with nine hits (three for extra bases), three walks and three stolen bases.

UP NEXT
The Lions will conclude the non-conference portion of the team's schedule next Tuesday with a road doubleheader at Arcadia. First pitch is set for 2:30 PM.