BOX SCORE: Game 1
BOX SCORE: Game 2
JERSEY CITY, NJ (www.NJCUGothicKnights.com)...New Jersey City University scored 12 runs while sending 18 batters to the plate in an explosive third inning of game two as the Gothic Knights blew past Hunter College, 13-5 in five innings on Saturday at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. Hunter scored six unanswered runs in game one after NJCU gained an early lead and the Hawks claimed the opening contest, 6-1. The doubleheader was NJCU's 2010 home opener.
With the doubleheader split, NJCU is 7-3 overall, marking its best 10-game ledger since also posting a 7-3 mark to open the 2001 season. Hunter improved to 3-0 after winning game one, before suffering its first loss of the year in game two. The Hawks continue to lead the all-time series, 21-12; it was the first meeting between NJCU and Hunter since March 21, 2005 and the Knights' first win over Hunter since March 24, 2003.
Senior left fielder/pitcher TARA PERRUCCI (East Rutherford, NJ/Wallington) was the winning pitcher in game two and had a tremendous effort at the plate, going a combined 4-for-7 with four RBIs and three doubles in the double header, increasing her career hits total to 96. Junior second baseman DANIELLE DELFINO's (Jersey City, NJ/County Prep) was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs in game two, bringing her three-year hit total to 97. Perrucci and Delfino are on pace to become the eighth and ninth players in the 29-year history of the NJCU softball program to reach the 100-hit club. Delfino stole three bases in the twinbill, giving her 11 on the year.
****************GAME 1: HUNTER COLLEGE 6, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 1*****************
In game one, NJCU scored first, but its 1-0 lead evaporated when the Hawks produced two runs each in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. NJCU was limited to three hits as junior Stephanie Damroth (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) struck out six and walked four, earning the win (2-0).
NJCU freshman ASHLEY O'BEIRNE (Wood-Ridge, NJ/Immaculate Conception), this week's New Jersey Athletic Conference and ECAC Metro Pitcher of the Week, took her first collegiate loss after a 5-0 start. In seven innings, she gave up six runs on eight hits, walked seven and struck out six. Perrucci was NJCU's lone player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with two doubles.
The Gothic Knights scored their lone run across in the bottom of the third. Junior centerfielder STEPHANIE GOMEZ (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a Delfino's sacrifice. Sophomore shortstop MEGAN GINTER (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) then drove an RBI single into center field.
The Hawks answered with two runs in the top of the fourth when sophomore left fielder Josephine Estevez (Bronx, NY/Bronx Lab) crushed a homerun to left-center field. Estevez, who walked twice, was 1-for-2 with those two go-ahead RBIs. Damroth was 2-for-4 and junior shortstop Megan McKenna (Rockaway, NY/Midwood) scored twice. Hunter was able to bring across two runs in the top of the fifth on a passed ball before capping the game with two more runs in the seventh.
****************GAME 2: New Jersey City University 13, Hunter College 5****************
Rebounding from the loss, the Gothic Knights' bats came alive in the nightcap, posting their largest outburst in an inning this season. NJCU, which led 1-0 after one inning, held a 13-0 advantage after the 12-run third inning. Hunter had all five of its runs in the fourth.
Perrucci led NJCU with four RBIs in the contest, going 2-for-4 with two runs and another double. She also earned the win in the circle in game two, pitching all five innings, to even her record at 2-2. She allowed five runs on six hits, while issuing just one walk and striking out one.
Freshman third baseman REBECCA SATZ (Morris Plains, NJ/Morristown) supplied three RB Is and two runs, batting 2-for-4 while Delfino was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Junior catcher/first baseman TAYLOR LANG (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) went 2-for-4 with two runs. Gomez was 2-for-2 with a run and RBI while Ginter scored twice.
In defeat, Estevez notched her second homer of the day in the fourth inning, belting a grand slam. She finished 1-for-2 with those four RBIs. McKenna and sophomore catcher Ariel Zieff (Staten Island, NY/Port Richmond) were each 2-for-3 with a run and RBI.
Taking the loss for the Hawks was sophomore Lauren Stensland (Babylon, NY/West Babylon). In four innings, she was charged with 13 runs—six earned— on 12 hits, walking six and striking out two.
In the first inning, Delfino led off with a double, stole third, and scored on a Satz single. After an uneventful second inning, the Gothic Knights struck for 12 runs in the third. Ginter and Satz singled and freshman left fielder ANDREA JIJON (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) walked, before all three scored on Perrucci's double to left field. Lang singled, moving Perrucci to third. Junior catcher ALEXANDRA DiIORIO (Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) then executed a perfect suicide squeeze, scoring Perrucci and moving Lang to second. After freshman right fielder SAMANTHA RUDICK (Closter, NJ/Northern Valley Regional-Demarest) reached on an error and Lang scored, Gomez doubled, and the runs just piled up from there.
Delfino followed with a two-run single and moved to third on the second of three Hunter errors in the inning. After Ginter reached on a fielder's choice, Satz notched a two-run double, and Perrucci followed with a run-scoring single for a 11-0 lead. Lang doubled, advancing Perrucci to third base. DiIorio and Rudick each drew walks, allowing Perrucci to score. Gomez then accepted the second straight bases-loaded walk to cap the barrage.
NJCU will visit the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Wednesday, March 24 for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m. Hunter faces Richard Stockton College on Tuesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
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GAME 1: Saturday, March 20, 2010 | Jersey City, NJ
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Hunter College (3-0)
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0
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0
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0
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2
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2
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0
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2
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-
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-
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6
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8
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0
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New Jersey City University (6-3)
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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-
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-
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1
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3
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1
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WP: Stephanie Damroth (2-0). LP: ASHLEY O'BEIRNE (4-1). HR: Josephine Estevez (1)
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GAME 2: Saturday, March 20, 2010 | Jersey City, NJ
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Hunter College (3-1)
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0
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0
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0
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5
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0
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X
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X
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-
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-
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5
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6
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3
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New Jersey City University (7-3)
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1
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0
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12
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0
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X
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X
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X
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-
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-
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13
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12
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1
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WP: TARA PERRUCCI (2-2). LP: Lauren Stensland (1-1) HR: Josephine Estevez (2)
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