MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The TCNJ softball team used a pair of complete-game shutout performances from Maya Knasiak and Elizabeth Gosse to earn a sweep of VTSU Castleton and Brevard on Day 2 of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.
 
GAME 1: TCNJ 1, Castleton 0
 
Scoring opportunities were few and far between Saturday morning in a game that quickly turned into a pitcher's duel between Knasiak and the Spartans' (4-2) Alex Brouillette.
 
TCNJ (6-6) got its leadoff runners in scoring position with no outs in both the first and second innings, but five of the Lions' ensuing six at-bats ended in strikeouts to keep them off the board. Castleton spoiled Knasiak's bid at a no-hitter in the home half of the second when MaKayla Walsh roped a double to left center, but consecutive grounders to Gianna Vazquez ended any threat.
 
It wasn't until the fifth inning that the Spartans' defense showed signs of weakness that TCNJ pounced on to finally jump in front. After Olivia Santos struck out to start the frame, it was Brooke Hamaty reaching safely thanks to a throwing error by Castleton's third baseman. The freshman found herself 60 feet from home after a steal and another errant throw by a Spartan fielder, breaking open the scoring on the next at-bat after Morgan Estelow hit an RBI single to right center.
 
The one-run lead was all Knasiak needed to finish things out, with the sophomore retiring nine of the next 10 batters she faced to secure the victory and her second straight complete-game shutout.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Knasiak (4-1): 7.0 IP, 0 R, 5 Ks
• Estelow: 1-3, 1 RBI
• Emily Gill: 2-2, 1 2B

GAME 2: TCNJ 9, Brevard 0
 
The Lions wasted no time getting on the board in Game 2, with an RBI sac bunt from Grace Brouillard scoring Estelow – the senior hit an infield single before using some smart baserunning to place herself 60 feet from home – to give TCNJ a 1-0 lead after the opening half inning. In the circle, it was Gosse picking up right where Knasiak left off, retiring the first 12 batters she faced to help the Lions take control.
 
While TCNJ rode its pitching on the defensive end, the Lions' bats continued to fire offensively, adding runs in the third and fourth innings before consecutive RBI base knocks from Brouillard and Gill ballooned TCNJ's lead to five after five.
 
Gosse's no-hitter came to an end after Hayden Moody hit a single to lead off the fifth, but the senior responded by sending the next three batters back to the dugout – including two via strikeouts – to keep the shutout intact.
 
RBIs from Taylor Menzel – the first of her collegiate career – Vazquez, Jessica Sclafani and Camryn Kitchin gave the Lions a 9-0 lead with three outs to go, which Gosse coolly collected to secure the victory and her second complete-game shutout of the season.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Gosse (2-2): 7.0 IP, 0 R, 4 Ks
• Gill: 2-2, 2 2B, 1 RBI
• Vazquez: 1-4, 2 RBIs, 1 3B
• Estelow: 2-3, 3 SB, 2 R
• Brouillard: 2-3, 2 RBIs, 1 R

UP NEXT

• TCNJ gets tomorrow off before returning Monday, March 16 to take on Mount Saint Vincent and Mount Aloysius, with first pitch of the doubleheader set for 11 a.m.