JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University senior first baseman Brittany Paulikas (Fords, NJ/JFK-Iselin) belted a three-run homer in the first inning of game one—her ninth career round-tripper—to spark NJCU to a fast start in its makeup New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader with The College of New Jersey on April 28. But NJCU would be limited to just one run in the next 13 innings as TCNJ rallied with four runs in the second inning en route to a 9-4 game one victory before posting a 3-0 shutout win in the nightcap at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
 
With two victories, TCNJ improved to 14-15-1 overall (6-9-1 NJAC) to keep its NJAC playoffs hopes alive as it heads to Montclair State for the final day NJAC play on Saturday. NJCU falls to 10-24 overall (0-16 NJAC).
 
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Christina Mezey (Jersey City, NJ/Saint Dominic Academy) took the loss in both games but pitched two complete games and gave up only two earned runs in each outing.
 
Game 1 Highlights: TCNJ 9, New Jersey City 4
Five NJCU errors led to seven unearned runs as NJCU's 3-0 lead evaporated in the second inning. NJCU tied it, 4-4, in the bottom of the third but the Lions plated a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break the deadlock. TCNJ, which committed three errors of its own, outhit NJCU, 11-4.
 
Paulikas, who was 1-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks, took junior Sam Platt (Cedar Grove, N.J.) over the fence in right center and gave the Gothic Knights the early lead as she drove in junior left fielder Julie Squeo (Carlstadt, NJ/Becton Regional) and sophomore catcher Hannah Gavin (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown), who reached based on a walk and a single to left field, respectively.
 
TCNJ freshman shortstop Megan Mayernik (Columbus, N.J.) went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Sophomore right fielder Daniella Marino (Hazlet, N.J.) was 2-for-3 with two runs while sophomore catcher Jess McGuire (Stockton, N.J.) was 2-for-4. Freshman second baseman Annalise Suitovsky (Warren Township, N.J.) walked and scored twice.
 
Despite giving up the long ball in the first inning, Platt (7-11) struck out six Gothic Knights in the final six innings of action. She walked six and allowed three earned runs and four hits.
 
In the second inning TCNJ used small ball to take the lead with four runs of its own—the final three of which were unearned after a throwing error. A bunt single by Marino pushed across the second run with the inning extended and she scored when sophomore designated player Megan Hevey (Robbinsville, N.J.) tripled to right to tie the game. She scored the go-ahead run when Mayernik had an infield single.
 
NJCU tied it in the third, 4-4. Gavin led off with a single, advanced on a throwing error and wild pitch, and scored on a one-out single to left by freshman shortstop Naomi Olacio (Bayonne, NJ/Hoboken). With no one out and two runners on, Platt retired the next three to get out of danger.  
 
The Lions moved back in front in the fifth, capitalizing on two NJCU throwing errors. Up 6-4, TCNJ added two more in the sixth aided by two more Gothic Knight errors. Sophomore center fielder Gaby Bennett (Hamilton, N.J.) singled in a run. Mayernik later added an RBI single in the seventh.
 
Game 2 Highlights: TCNJ 3, New Jersey City 0
In a game that was separated by just one run through six innings, TCNJ added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to outlast the Gothic Knights. NJCU was blanked for the ninth time in league play this year (10th overall).
 
TCNJ sophomore Sara Bielamowicz (Lawrence Township, N.J.) scattered just four NJCU hits across seven innings as she struck out six Gothic Knights batters to pick up the win (4-4). She walked six over 106 pitches.
 
The Lions outhit NJCU, 10-4. Junior Jenna Schwartz (Branchburg, N.J.) had a two-RBI pinch-hit single. Sophomore first baseman Jess Santelli (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Bennett each batted 2-for-3 while Hevey went 2-for-4 with one RBI in game two. The Lions pitched around Paulikas, NJCU's All-NJAC returnee, walking her three times in the game and five times in the twinbill.
 
After going scoreless in the first two innings as Mezey retired six of the first seven batters she faced, TCNJ scored first in the third inning when Hevey drove in junior left fielder Madison Levine (Oakland, N.J.).
 
NJCU had its own scoring opportunity in the bottom half of the inning but left two runners on base. In the fourth inning, the Gothic Knights had two runners on base with one out after a single by Mezey and a bunt single by freshman right fielder Kayla Clarke (East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Regional) but TCNJ got out of trouble with a foul pop and ground out.
 
That was NJCU's last solid scoring opportunity and TCNJ added to its lead in the seventh when Schwartz drove in two runners with her single up the middle. NJCU lined into a double play with a runner on base to end the game.
 
OF NOTE:

• 39th and 40th meetings: TCNJ leads the all-time series, 39-1.
• Doubleheader was a makeup of an April 25 rainout.

WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU hosts No. 20 ranked William Paterson University in the final NJAC doubleheader of the season on Saturday, April 29 (1 p.m.). NJCU softball's two seniors—Brittany Paulikas (Fords, NJ/JFK-Iselin) and infielder Brianna Rosario (Roselle, NJ/Abraham Clark)—will be honored for their contributions during their time at NJCU as part of Senior Day.
 
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on NJCU softball and #NJCUSB, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. Preferred hashtags are GothicGameDay and GothicFamily.