MADISON, N.J. - The TCNJ softball team split its doubleheader against Drew in the Lions' return to the Garden State Wednesday afternoon, getting another herculean effort out of Maya Knasiak in a 2-0, Game 1 win before falling 3-2 in a tightly-contested Game 2 to settle for the split.
 
GAME 1: TCNJ 2, Drew 0
 
Knasiak has become synonymous with complete-game shutouts after notching her fifth straight and sixth of the season in TCNJ's (11-7) series-opening win. The Mount Laurel-native did more than just tie her career high in strikeouts, however, also dominating at the dish where she went 3-4 with the game-winning RBI in what continues to be an otherworldly start to her junior campaign.
 
Morgan Estelow was first to get on base for the Lions after being hit by a pitch. Knasiak wasted no time plating the only run she would need ensuing at-bat, ripping a double to center that scored the senior to open Wednesday's scoring. An RBI single off the bat of Estelow in the second would double TCNJ's lead and give the junior more than enough wiggle room to close things out.
 
Knasiak, who hadn't given up a run in any of her past four outings, extended her streak of shutout innings to 33.1 by holding the Rangers to three hits over the final five innings. The junior fanned 13 batters – tying her career-best mark for the second time this season – en route to another convincing victory.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Knasiak (7-1): CG, 0 ER, 13 Ks, 3-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI

GAME 2: TCNJ 2, Drew 3
 
Wednesday's rematch told much of the same story, with neither side able to do much damage before a high-scoring fifth inning proved to be the difference in the one-run game.
 
After starting pitchers Elizabeth Gosse and Allie Porbansky allowed nothing more than a lone single through the opening four innings, it was the Lions' Morgan Leonhauser starting a fifth-inning rally with a leadoff double. A Jules Fuchs single put runners on the corners before the sophomore stole second to make it two in scoring position. A fielder's choice retired Leonhauser, but moved Fuchs to third, who scored the game's opening run on an Estelow single to give TCNJ a long-awaited 1-0 lead.
 
For as long as it took for the Lions to take the lead, however, Drew (10-6) wasted absolutely no time taking back the lead with a three-run home half. With the bases loaded and relief pitcher Dani Biggio in for Gosse, it was Izzy Wiemer ripping a bases-clearing double to right center to give the Rangers their first lead of the day.
 
The Lions made an attempt at a late comeback, with a double steal scoring Leonhauser and moving Jessica Sclafani to second with just one out, but a double play abruptly ended proceedings and handed TCNJ the 3-2 defeat.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Leonhauser: 2 H, 2 2B, 1 R
• Sairah Llano: 0.2 IP, 2 Ks

UP NEXT

• The Lions will play at home for the first time this season Saturday, March 28 when they host Rutgers-Newark. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.