NEWARK, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) |  Junior shortstop Thalia Garcia (Ridgefield, NJ/North Bergen) hit a 230-foot grand slam home run in the fifth inning of game two to cut into Rutgers-Newark's lead but the Scarlet Raiders knocked off the  New Jersey City University softball team, 7-4, in the nightcap of a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on April 21.
 
The Raiders scored 12 runs in the fourth inning of game one as 18 batters came to the plate as RUN shutout NJCU, 14-0, in five innings. With the sweep, the Raiders improved to 14-18 and 5-11 in the NJAC. NJCU is 2-26 (0-16 NJAC).
 
GAME 1: Rutgers-Newark 14, NJCU 0 (5 innings)
The Raiders had 12 runs on nine hits as every batter came to the plate twice in the fourth inning. Newark outhit NJCU, 14-3 and had five extra-base hits. Two of NJCU's three hits went for extra bases—a double by Garcia and a triple from sophomore right fielder Brianna Rosario (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark).
 
Winning pitcher Kelly Yusko (9-7) allowed three hits and struck out five without issuing a walk in 5.0 innings. She aided her own cause, batting 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs. Center fielder Kelsey Lucas went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning.
 
Second baseman Kayla Gallo (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 1 run) and third baseman Anna Carlson (2-for-3, 3 runs, triple, RBI, walk) also had big efforts for the Raiders.  
 
Senior left-handed pitcher Ashley Latushko (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) took the loss for the Gothic Knights.
 
GAME 2: Rutgers-Newark 7, NJCU 4
Rutgers-Newark scored seven times in the first four innings, including a three spot in the fourth inning and withstood Garcia's grand slam to prevail, 7-4. The Raiders outhit NJCU, 10-8. The slam was Garcia's first career home run and the 15th known grand slam in school history.
 
Carlson was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two doubles, including a two-run double in the fourth. Catcher Sam Held also was 3-for-4 and Yusko, who picked up the save, pitching the final two innings, was 2-for-3. Lucas finished with two RBIs.
 
Morgan Walizer, who walked three times and scored twice, won for the Raiders (5-5), allowing four runs and six hits in 5.0 innings. Yusko earned the save with two innings of two-hit ball, striking out three.
 
Junior first baseman Faith Ely (Vienna, NJ/Hackettstown) was 2-for-4 with a double. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brittany Paulikas (Fords, NJ/JFK-Iselin) took the loss.
 
OF NOTE:

• NJCU leads the all-time series, 35-34.
• NJCU has lost 11 straight games.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:
NJCU faces Drew University (6-24, 0-10 Landmark) on Thursday, April 23 at 3 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader in Madison, NJ.