JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University softball team opened play at the Thomas M. Gerrity Complex for the first time in 706 days on Saturday, April 10, against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Rowan University. The Gothic Knights presented a strong front against the Profs, but a few big offensive innings from the visitors led to the doubleheader defeat for NJCU, who dropped game one 13-1 and game two 11-0.

Game 1
The Gothic Knights (0-6, 0-6 NJAC) limited Rowan (12-4, 6-0 NJAC) to just a pair in the first half of the first inning via a one-out, two-run single to center. However, rookie hurler Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oak Crest) — who received her fifth start of the season in this one — made an outstanding play to end the inning the following at-bat, catching a liner right back at her and tossing back to second to nail the runner on the play. Unfortunately that big inning for the Profs came in the top of the second when they scored eight to put real distance between them and NJCU.

Another freshman, Sidnie Dabbadie (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) entered the game in the latter stages of that inning and was absolutely stellar for the remainder of the contest for the Gothic Knights, tossing 3.2 innings and giving up just two earned runs on seven hits and three walks. This was the collegiate debut for the Burbank, Calif., native.

Offensively, the Gothic Knights did manage to scratch across a run in the home half of the fourth inning, as the entire ralley came with two outs. Freshman Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) reached on a walk and then advanced to second thanks to a single up the middle from sophomore Hailey Mojica (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus). Senior Dulce Almonte (Jersey City, N.J./Snyder via County Prep) then knocked a RBI single down the line in right to plate Villanueva from second for the run.

Game 2
Dabbadie got the start in this one, this first of her career, and went 2.0 innings before her day was over — she pitched a total of 5.2 innings on the afternoon. Another out-of-state freshman hurler made her collegiate pitching debut for the Gothic Knights next, as rookie Sam Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) entered in relief and finished up the final 3.0 innings and looked solid, allowing five earned. Rowan's runs came in bunches in this one, including three two-RBI hits and one three-run homer.

What's Next
NJCU looks for its first wins of the 2021 campaign on Tuesday, April 13, when it hits the road to Wayne, N.J., for a pair of NJAC contests against William Paterson University. Game one action against the Pioneers is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.