EWING, N.J. – On senior day, the TCNJ softball team scored a staggering 27 combined runs in just ten innings to clinch the doubleheader sweep over Rutgers-Newark at Dr. June Walker Field. Following game two, head coach Sally Miller and the program honored seniors Julia Kinnally and Julia Mayernik, as well as graduate students Kaci Neveling and Gillian Roberts.

The Lions (23-9, 10-6 NJAC) offense detonated in game one for a lopsided 13-2 mercy rule victory that saw Kinnally nearly hit for the cycle after her single was followed up with a triple and double. However, her potential home run flied out to deep centerfield to end the fourth. In the circle, sophomore Elizabeth Gosse collected her eighth win on the season after striking out three in 4.1 innings pitched.

TCNJ's offense one-upped itself in game two, this time dropping 14 runs on the Scarlett Raiders (5-27, 3-13 NJAC) to force the mercy rule once again in play. Four Lions recorded multi-hit performances at the plate, while freshman Maya Knasiak struck out seven batters in 4.1 innings for her eighth win.

GAME ONE (TCNJ 13, RUTGERS-NEWARK 2 – 5 INNINGS)

• After a quick top of the first from Gosse, the Lions offense pulled away from the get-go by immediately dropping five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Mayernik drove in Mckayla Yard from second with an RBI double, before Kinnally immediately drove her classmate in with a single that dropped in centerfield.
• After a Camryn Kitchin walk, freshman Sara Vincent hit a big double to left centerfield to clear the bases for two runs. Junior Rachel Alecci rounded out the scoring with an RBI single to third base to score Vincent for the fifth run.
• In the bottom of the second, Neveling quickly made her way around the bases after a leadoff bunt single was followed by consecutive steals before reaching home on a throwing error directed at third base from Newark's catcher.
• After a two-out Kinnally triple to right field, Kitchin immediately drove in her on an RBI single to right centerfield. Two at bats later, Alecci made the Lions lead 8-0 on an RBI single of her own to score Kitchin.
• The Scarlett Raiders got on the score board in the top of the third on a two-RBI triple down the rightfield line, cutting TCNJ's lead to 8-2.
• TCNJ immediately got the runs back in the bottom half after Kinnally launched a two-RBI double to left centerfield, scoring both Neveling and sophomore Gianna Vazquez to make the score 10-2.
• In the bottom of the fourth, the blue and gold scored three more runs to make the game 13-2.
• Making an appearance in relief in the top of the fifth, Roberts recorded the final two outs on a fly out followed by a grounder to secure the game one victory.

GAME TWO (TCNJ 14, RUTGERS-NEWARK 1 – 5 INNINGS)

• TCNJ got ahead once again in the bottom of the first, this time on a Mayernik RBI sacrifice bunt to score Neveling from third base and going up 1-0.
• After Knasiak struck out all three batters faced in the top of the second, the Lions offense followed up by quickly loading the bases and immediately scoring four runs to pull away from the road team.
• Setting things in motion was Vazquez, who singled to right field to drive home Vincent for the first run, before Neveling doubled up the middle to score both Alecci and sophomore Morgan Estelow. Following up, Yard reached on a fielder's choice to drive in Vazquez and giving the blue and gold the 5-0 lead.
• Rutgers-Newark got one run back in the top of the third on an RBI single to left field, cutting TCNJ's lead down to four runs.
• In the bottom half, the Lions immediately got the run back, and a lot more, as the home team piled on eight runs to go up by 13-1. Estelow got the offense going with a one-out RBI single scored Kitchin, which was followed a couple at-bats later with a Neveling bases-loaded walk to score Alecci. Next in line was Yard, who cleared the bases with a three-RBI double down centerfield, scoring Estelow, Vazquez and Neveling to make it 10-0.
• With two outs, Kinnally drove in Yard with an RBI single to centerfield. Right behind her, Kitchin recorded a single of her own which, combined with a throwing error by the Scarlett Raiders' outfield, was enough to drive in Kinnally. Lastly, a Vincent double to right centerfield scored Kitchin and made the game 13-1.
• An inning later, the Lions scored the 14th and final run of the game on a Yard sacrifice fly to drive in Estelow from third.

STANDOUT LIONS

• Kinnally hit 4-for-7 with four RBIs to go with her double and triple on the day. She also scored three runs.
• Neveling hit 4-for-7 with four RBIs and scoring five runs on the day. She also went a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts.
• Vazquez finished 4-for-6 with four runs scored and an RBI in the doubleheader
• Vincent was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and a pair of doubles
• Yard had an impressive five-RBI performance in game two.

TCNJ TEAM BREAKDOWN

• Game one: TCNJ combined for 12 hits (four for extra bases) and four walks, while also stealing seven total bases.  
• Game two: The Lions offense recorded 14 total hits (three for extra bases) with one walk, alongside snagging five bases as a team.

UP NEXT
The Lions will conclude the 2024 regular season on the road at William Paterson this Saturday. The doubleheader is set for a noon start time.