CAMDEN, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rutgers University-Camden scored four two-out runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to steal game one of a New Jersey Athletic Conference opening weekend doubleheader from the New Jersey City University softball team (4-10, 0-2 NJAC), 5-3, on March 31 at the Rutgers-Camden Community Park. The Scarlet Raptors (9-6, 2-0 NJAC) did it again in game two with a two-out walkoff single in the bottom of the seventh to prevail 4-3.
 
Freshman second baseman Nina Arroyo (Delran, N.J.) had the biggest hit of the game-one comeback with a two-run RBI single to put the Raptors in front, then was the hero in game two with the game-winning hit in the seventh. She was a combined 5-for-8 with three RBIs.
 
GAME 1: Rutgers-Camden 5, New Jersey City 3
In the NJAC opener for both schools, NJCU outhit the Raptors, 6-5, and led 3-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth after putting up all three runs in the top of the third.
 
But with two outs, Camden rallied for four runs on three hits in the sixth—capitalizing on three walks in the inning, including two in a row with the bases loaded to tie it.
 
In that half inning, senior third baseman Gabby Pfeiffer (Mount Holly, N.J.) led off with a single, senior first baseman Mariah Hans (Barrington, N.J.) walked and freshman left fielder Maggie Foss (Washington Township, N.J.) singled to load the bases. Sophomore shortstop Rachel Edwards (Washington Township, N.J.) and senior catcher Mackenzie Mason (Penns Grove, N.J.) drew back-to-back walks to make it a 3-3 game before Arroyo singled to center to put Camden in front, 5-3. NJCU put two runners on in the top of the seventh but couldn't get the tying runs in.
 
Senior center fielder Julie Squeo (Carlstadt, NJ/Becton Regional) had two RBIs in the loss for NJCU while sophomore left fielder Arianna Scrimo (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) was 1-for-2 with a walk, run scored and RBI. Junior right-handed pitcher Christina Mezey (Jersey City, NJ/Saint Dominic Academy) (4-9) took the loss, walking seven while striking out four, allowing five hits.
 
Arroyo batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk and run scored out of the leadoff slot. Freshman left-handed pitcher Kennedy Whalen (Williamstown, N.J.) won to improve to 4-1 overall. She allowed three runs and seven hits with five K's and four walks.
 
NJCU gained a 3-0 lead on four hits in the third. Freshman shortstop Dulce Almonte (Jersey City, NJ/Snyder via County Prep) walked and freshman right fielder Arielle Cortes (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) singled to center in her first career plate appearance. Scrimo singled to right to drive in a run and Squeo followed with a two-out single to left center for a 3-0 lead. RUC got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Arroyo led off with a double and scored on a groundout by Pfeiffer.
 
GAME 2: Rutgers-Camden 4, New Jersey City 3
Trailing 3-0, NJCU tied it with three runs in the top of the sixth. Even at 3-3, Mason walked in a pinch hit role to open the bottom of the seventh, moved to second on a sacrifice, and scored on a two-out single by Arroyo to win the game. Camden prevailed despite stranding 13 runners on base and leaving the bases loaded in the second and fourth innings.
 
Arroyo had a third of Camden's nine hits, batting 3-for-5 with one RBI. Camden drew eight walks in the win. Edwards walked twice and drove in two runs in a 1-for-2 showing. Foss and junior right fielder Kacie Pisani (Barrington, N.J.) also walked twice.  Junior righty Kendra Pfister (Dacula, Ga.) won (4-5), striking out five (two walks) with three runs and seven hits against.
 
Junior third baseman Hannah Gavin (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) knocked in two runs for NJCU. Squeo was 1-for-3 with one RBI. Mezey (4-10) took the loss, allowing four runs and nine hits without a strikeout.
 
Camden scored in the bottom of the first on a passed ball and would have scored on the next play anyway when Foss tripled. The Raptors added two runs in the fifth when Edwards doubled to center with two outs to drive in two RBIs after Foss walked and Hans singled.
 
NJCU drew even in the sixth. Scrimo singled and after a walk and a single by Mezey, got on the board on a ground out by Squeo. NJCU tied the game when Gavin deposited a single to center before NJCU left two runners on base. Almonte and Cortes singled to lead off the top of the seventh but NJCU could not drive in the go-ahead runs, popping out twice to end their last solid scoring chance, leading to the Raptors' walkoff in the bottom of the frame.
 
NOTABLES:

• Series: 67th meeting. Rutgers-Camden leads, 45-22 and has won the last 19 meetings.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• NJCU hosts its first NJAC doubleheader of the season on Tuesday, April 3 (3 p.m.) when preseason favorite Ramapo College and former NJCU head coach Bridgette Quimpo's Roadrunners (9-7, 0-2 NJAC) visit the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.

 
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