RALEIGH, N.C. - The TCNJ softball team split its games on Day 1 of the Grand Slam Triangle Softball Classic Friday afternoon, dropping a 9-3 decision in its opener against Tufts before bouncing back with a dominant, 7-0 victory over Greensboro.
 
GAME 1: Tufts 9, TCNJ 3
 
The Lions (3-3) struck first in Saturday's opening game after Emily Evans earned a free trip to first from the leadoff spot. Grace Brouillard roped a double to right center two at-bats later to put both runners in scoring position, setting up Morgan Leonhauser to lay down a perfectly-placed bunt to bring Evans across home plate and open the scoring. TCNJ threatened for more in the second with runners on second and third with one out, but were unable to add any insurance runs.
 
Instead it was the Jumbos (1-0) blowing the game open in the middle innings to take control of the contest. A five-spot in the bottom of the third was answered by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gianna Vazquez in the fourth to keep the Lions within striking distance (5-2), but it was Tufts adding four more runs in the fifth to all but put the game out of reach.
 
TCNJ made a final attempt at a comeback in the seventh, rallying with two outs to load the bases. Jules Fuchs drew a third consecutive Lions walk to score one, but a grounder to first ended the game in a 9-3 loss.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Brouillard: 2-3, 1 BB
• Fuchs: 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB

GAME 2: TCNJ 7, Greensboro 0
 
Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader belonged to Maya Knasiak, who tossed a complete-game shutout while tying her career-best mark with 13 strikeouts in one of the best outings of her career. The junior's performance, paired with an offensive outburst in the third inning, were the difference in a 7-0 win over the Pride.
 
After giving up consecutive hits to open Friday's game, Knasiak quickly righted the ship en route to her career day, fanning nine of the next 11 batters she faced – the other two ending in a fielder's choice and routine fly out to left – to keep Greensboro off the board.
 
TCNJ's bats were also held in check through the first two innings, but erupted as part of a seven-run third inning that put the Lions firmly in the lead. Jessica Sclafani started the festivities with a walk, scoring on the ensuing at-bat after a Vazquez bunt was misplayed by the Pride's pitcher. Emily Evans hit a single up the middle to continue the rally before Emily Gill drew a walk to load the bases. Brouillard stayed hot at the plate, combining with Knasiak for back-to-back RBI singles to make it 3-0 and forcing a Greensboro change in the circle. Next up and eager to get in on the action was Estelow, who turned on a 2-0 pitch, launching the ball over the fence for her first career grand slam to balloon TCNJ's lead to 7-0.
 
Knasiak continued her dominance in the circle, retiring 12 of the next 13 batter she would face to secure her first complete-game shutout of the season and the Lions the 7-0 victory.
 
STANDOUT LIONS

• Knasiak: 7.0 IP, 0 R, 13 Ks
• Estelow: 1-3, 4 RBIs, 1 HR
• Gill: 2-2, 1 R
• Brouillard: 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

UP NEXT

• TCNJ is back in action tomorrow for Day 2 of the Triangle Softball Classic where they will face off against Marymount and William Peace. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.