EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ softball team powered past Rutgers-Camden in game two to secure another NJAC doubleheader split at Dr. June Walker Field on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lions (16-8, 3-5 NJAC) lost a low scoring first game, 1-0, despite another stellar start in the circle by sophomore Elizabeth Gosse. The sophomore struck out six batters while giving up just the lone run off five hits in seven innings. TCNJ's offense generated multiple quality scoring chances throughout the game, but just couldn't drive any baserunners home.

TCNJ's bats woke up in game two, erupting for six unanswered runs as freshman Maya Knasiak secured her second-consecutive shutout win as a Lion while striking out a career-high nine Scarlet Raptors (12-14, 3-5 NJAC) batters. Senior Julia Kinnally led the offense with a two-hit, four-RBI performance at the plate.  

GAME ONE (RUTGERS-CAMDEN 1, TCNJ 0)

• The Lions offense found itself in a great scoring opportunity early on in the bottom of the first when, with two outs, the blue and gold managed to load the bases after a Julia Mayernik single was followed by consecutive pitch-by-pitches during Kinnally and Taylor Freudenberg's at bats. However, a groundout to first for the third out kept TCNJ off the board.
• The lone run of the game was scored by the Scarlet Raptors in the top of the fourth on a clutch two-out RBI single to score a baserunner from second.
• TCNJ once again loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, this time with one out, after a leadoff Morgan Estelow walk was followed by a Kaci Neveling single and a Gianna Vazquez hit-by-pitch. But, once again, the Lions were unable to bring the much-needed runner to the plate as a fielder's choice and a fly out ended the golden opportunity prematurely.

GAME TWO (TCNJ 6, RUTGERS-CAMDEN 0)

• With runners in scoring position early in the first inning once again, the Lions fully capitalized this go around, as Kinnally delivered a two-RBI single to right centerfield to score both Neveling and Mayernik. Neveling led things off with a single to left field to proceed a Mayernik walk, before both successfully completed a double steal attempt of second and third.  
• In the bottom of the third, TCNJ doubled its lead after an RBI double from Mayernik scored Neveling from third, followed by a Freudenberg RBI single that scored Mayernik herself. Neveling led off by reaching on a Scarlet Raptors fielding error at first base, before stealing second and advancing to third on a groundout.
• Already up 4-0, the blue and gold tacked on two more insurance runs in the fifth frame on a Kinnally double right down the leftfield line to score Mayernik and Mckayla Yard. With one out, Yard successfully worked a walk right below Mayernik singled up the middle of the infield.
• With two outs and one baserunner on first in the top of the seventh for Rutgers-Camden, Mayernik sealed the win by successfully gunning down the baserunner on a steal attempt of second base.

STANDOUT LIONS

• With her four RBIs in game two, Kinnally officially reached 100 for her career.
• Mayernik hit 3-for-5 with one double and one RBI. The catcher also reached home base three times in the pair of games.
• Neveling recorded a pair of hits to go with three steals and two runs scored throughout the two games.
• Estelow had herself a multi-steal performance to go with a hit and walk apiece in game one.

TCNJ TEAM BREAKDOWN

• Game one: TCNJ recorded four hits and two walks as a team, alongside two stolen bases and three hit-by-pitches.
• Game two: The Lions collected six total hits (Three for extra bases) alongside a pair of walks. The team also stole five bases.

UP NEXT
TCNJ returns to action this Saturday for a road doubleheader matchup against Montclair State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.