New Jersey City University Athletics

JERSEY CITY, NJ…New Jersey City University rallied from an eight-run deficit with two outs in the fifth inning to prevent the eight-run rule from being enforced and tied the game in the sixth inning, before FDU-Florham scored twice in the eighth and survived for a 16-15 win in game one of a non-conference doubleheader at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. NJCU scored six times in the fourth inning of game two to again come from behind, and defeated the Devils in the nightcap, 9-7.

 

With the doubleheader split, NJCU is 14-16 overall, and has already exceeded the win total from last season with 10 games remaining. FDU is 20-12. The Devils lead the all-time series, 20-8, but the Knights have won three of the last four meetings and defeated FDU at home for the first time since April 21, 1998. NJCU combined for 32 hits in 14 innings between the two games.

 

Senior shortstop SUSIE MATSUTANI (Gallup, NM/Gallup) was a combined 5-for-9 with four runs andSUSIE MATSUTANI" src="/images/softball/2008/4/16/03-26-08%20Susie%20Matsutani%2015.jpg" width=150 align=right border=0> four RBIs in the doubleheader and sophomore right-handed pitcher/first baseman/designated player LACEY SKOWRONSKI (Bayonne, NJ/Holy Family Academy) went 5-for-10 with five RBIs. FDU senior rightfielder Leah Minnick (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) was 5-for-7 with four runs on the day.

 

The 31 combined runs between the teams were the most in a game involving NJCU in more than 10 years. On April 4, 1998, NJCU defeated Rutgers-Newark, 21-10, on the road. It was the most combined runs in a home game or in a loss since an 18-17 setback versus Centenary College on April 25, 1995.

 

The 15 runs in game one marked the third time this season the Knights have scored at least 15 in a game, but the first time in a loss. NJCU has scored 148 runs in 30 games. It’s the most runs as a team since notching 185 in 2001—the last year NJCU scored 15 runs in a game at least three times. The two teams combined for 10 doubles in the opener.

 

***********GAME 1: FDU-Florham 16, New Jersey City University 15 (8)***********

In a game where FDU outhit NJCU 21-18, but committed six errors, the Devils scored five runs in the second and five more in the third inning for an 11-3 lead before the Knights posted seven runs after two outs had been recorded in the fifth to close within 11-10. FDU added three runs in the sixth, but NJCU tied it at 14-14 in the sixth after posting four runs. Matsutani had a two-run double that was followed by a two-RBI, game-tying single by Skowronski.

 

Under tiebreaker rules, FDU regained a 16-14 lead in the eighth on a two-run double by freshman leftfielder Amy Beideman (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley). Freshman leftfielder STEPHANIE GOMEZ (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, but Skowronski struck out with two runners on to end the game.

 

For FDU, sophomore third baseman Christine Heyl (Avon, NJ/St. Rose) was 4-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs, and a homerun, while senior second baseman Tara Hulse (Brick, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) was 4-for-5 with two runs and two doubles. Senior shortstop Kristin Loriot (Howell, NJ/Howell) went 3-for-6 with three RBIs and three runs. Minnick was 3-for-5 with three runs. Senior catcher Kelly Nover (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) scored four runs. Senior pitcher Katelyn Smith (Temecula, CA/Chaparral), who started the game but received a no-decision—despite seven strikeouts and just two earned runs—batted 2-for-4.

 

STEPHANIE GOMEZ" src="/images/softball/2008/4/16/03-26-08%20Stephanie%20Gomez%2012.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>NJCU had six players with multiple hits, led by Gomez, who was 4-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs, while Matsutani was 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs, a double and triple. She extended her career school record for triples to 14 with her sixth of the year. Skowronski was 2-for-6 with three ribbies while freshman second baseman DANIELLE DELFINO (Jersey City, NJ/County Prep) chipped in a 3-for-6 effort with three RBIs and two runs in the leadoff spot.

 

NJCU also received a 3-for-5 effort from sophomore third baseman CHRISTEN HALL (East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Regional). Sophomore centerfielder TARA PERRUCCI (Wallington, NJ/Wallington) was 2-for-5 with three runs.

               

Skowronski stranded the bases loaded when she entered as a pitcher in the seventh, but suffered the loss in the eighth (7-6), despite allowing only one earned run and four hits in 2.0 innings. FDU freshman Shaina Bradley (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) gave up four earned runs and six hits in 3.1 innings, but was the winner (2-0), picking up the crucial strikeout to end the 2:37 game.

 

During FDU’s two five-run innings early in the game, the Devils had seven hits in the second inning and five in the third, but just one multiple-run hit—a two-run homer by Heyl in the third that made it 11 -3.

In the fifth when NJCU rallied, Gomez had a two-run single that followed a bases loaded hit by pitch, and Delfino zipped a two-RBI triple down the right field line to make it 11-8. Matsutani followed with an RBI triple and Skowronski had an RBI single to cut the deficit to 11-10.

 

In the sixth, Loriot tacked on a two-RBI double that capped a three-run scoring inning, increasing FDU’s margin to 14-10, before Matsutani’s two-run double and Skowronski’s game-tying two-run single.

 

***********GAME 2: New Jersey City University 9, FDU-Florham 7***********

               

NJCU outhit the Devils in game two, 14-6 as Skowronski, the reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, fanned five and walked just two for the win (8-6). NJCU scored six runs on seven hits in the fourth inning to turn a 5-3 deficit into a 9-5 advantage.

 

Skowronski also aided her cause by batting 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs and two doubles while Matsutani went 3-for-4 with two runs. Hall and Perrucci each contributed two RBIs, while freshman catcher TAYLOR LANG (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) and sophomore first baseman CHRISTINA PROSPERO (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) each batted 2-for-4.

Minnick was 2-for-2 with two RBIs for FDU. Loriot had two RBI and Hulse scored twice. Freshman Kaitlyn Nowikow (South River, NJ/South River) suffered her first career decision (0-1), allowing seven earned runs and 10 hits in 3.1 innings. Loriot entered in the fourth inning and gave up one run and four hits in the final 2.2 innings.

               

NJCU opened a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Skowronski and another RBI double by Hall. FDU gained a 5-2 lead with five runs in the second inning. Minnick’s two-run double and a two-RBI single by Loriot were the decisive hits. An RBI single by Matsutani in the bottom of the second made it 5-3.

 

But NJCU broke the game open in the fourth. Delfino doubled, Matsutani singled and Skowronski added another RBI double. Hall reached on a fielder’s choice as the speedy Matsutani beat the throw to the plate to tie the game. From there, Prospero had an RBI single and NJCU scored its seventh run on an error that extended the inning. Perrucci took advantage with a two-RBI single for a 9-7 lead and the eventual winning runs.

 

FDU closed the gap to two in the sixth inning, scoring twice on three NJCU errors, as the Knights clung to a 9-7 cushion.

 

But in the top of the seventh, Skowronski was dominant, shutting down the Devils with two groundball outs, before firing a strikeout to seal it.

 

NJCU is back in action on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. when it visits The College of New Jersey in an NJAC doubleheader in Ewing, NJ. NJCU has never defeated the Lions in 20 meetings. FDU travels to Arcadia University at the same time.