JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University softball team played a highly-competitve New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex this afternoon, Tuesday, April 27, falling in both games to Ramapo College.

Game 1
The Gothic Knights (0-16, 0-16 NJAC) led 1-0 for two innings and were then tied 1-1 until the top of the fifth in game one, but a tough offensive outburst by Ramapo (7-11, 7-9 NJAC) in that half inning led to an 11-1 defeat for NJCU. The home team gave freshman Sam Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) the start in the circle, and the rookie was solid through 4.0 innings, allowing just one earned. Unfortunately she was chased after a couple of Roadrunner homers — including a grand slam — in the top of the fifth and was relieved by fellow freshman hurler Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oak Crest), who ended up having a stellar day in the circle, highlighted by her game two performance.

After a quick 1-2-3 top half of the first, the Gothic Knights got things going in the home half thanks to a lead-off double by senior Dulce Almonte (Jersey City, N.J./Snyder via County Prep). After a couple outs, junior Emma Herrick (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) belted a one-run single to center to make it 1-0. NJCU held that until the top of the third when Ramapo tied it up. However the game remained tied until the Roadrunners broke it open in the top of the fifth.

Game 2
Tunney, as mentioned, was dealing in this one for the Gothic Knights. The rookie went a career-high 7.0 innings for her first-career complete game, allowing just two runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts. Unfortunately, Tunney had a shutout going with two outs in the top of the seventh when the Roadrunners mustered a ralley to score a pair and ultimately come away with the win.

Early on in this one, Tunney seemed to keep working her way in and out of trouble. In the top of the second with two outs and runners on the corners, Tunney charged a bunt attempt and made a nice place to first to get out of her first jam of the game. Then in the top of the third with no outs and runners on first and second, Tunney got the batter to hit one on the ground to short and force out the lead runner before ending the inning with back-to-back flyouts. Another jam in the top of the fifth saw a Ramapo runner on third with one out. However, another grounder hit hard — this time to Almonte at third — caught the runner for the second out before another inning-ending flyout.

The game's only runs came in the top of the seventh. With two outs and a runner on second, Ramapo was able to notch back-to-back run-scoring doubles to make it 2-0 before Tunney worked her way out of the inning. Sophomore Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) led off the home half with a double, but unfortunately NJCU was unable to plate her.

Highlights
- Herrick had a strong day at the plate. The junior was 4-for-4 with a RBI and was hit by a pitch.
- Almonte finished the day going 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles and scored a run.

What's Next
The Gothic Knights close out their regular-season on Saturday, May 1, at home with a doubleheader on Senior Day. NJCU hosts Stockton University for a pair at The Gerrity, with a scheduled 1:00 p.m. game one first pitch. Catch all the action live on GothicVision.