JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University softball team captured its seventh victory in a row today, Tuesday, March 29, after defeating the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Bloodhounds by a final score of 12-8 at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. In this frigid afternoon matchup between teams just across the river, NJCU led throughout the game, including by as many as eight runs in the sixth. The Gothic Knights exploded for 12 runs overall, as the squad saw four different hitters record two or more hits and six different Jersey City sluggers recorded an RBI.

Collecting her first-career victory in the Green and Gold (8-9) in the circle today was sophomore Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oak Crest). The right-hander notched a career-high six strikeouts to go along with her second-career complete game. Tunney did not only perform with her arm, but the Gothic Knight also helped herself by knocking in three runs via two base hits on the day. 

After the sophomore stranded two Bloodhound (1-4) runners in the top-half of the first, the Gothic Knights stepped up the plate and wasted no time getting on the board first. The squad played some small-ball after a lead-off walk by senior shortstop Alissa Bikowski (South Amboy, N.J./South Amboy). She then used her wheels to steal second and then on the next pitch, fellow senior right fielder Katherine Ayala (Jersey City, N.J./University Academy Charter) did her job by advancing Bikowski to third with a sacrificing bunt. To finish off the "get her on, get her over, get her in" method, senior captain first baseman Emma Herrick (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) knocked in the shortstop on a fielders-choice to give Jersey City an early 1-0 lead. 

The Blue and White responded quickly by taking the lead in the top of the third after the Bloodhounds brought two runs in (2-1). 

This is when the Gothic Knight offense exploded. Responding to the rally by John Jay, NJCU put up four runs of its own, giving the squad the 5-2 lead. In this rally, Jersey City did not need to use any small ball in this instance. The Green and Gold inning was led off by a walk from sophomore catcher Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic). Following the free base and a JC strikeout, the 1-through-6 hitters went to work as Jersey City' knocked five base-hits in a row to score all four runs in this stretch. Leading off the hit parade was Bikowski with a double down the left-field line and Ayala brought home Villanueva via single to center. Then Herrick lazered a ball to left to knock in Bikowski and then helping herself in the circle, Tunney captured a RBI by singling through the left-side to bring in Ayala. To wrap up the masterful inning by the offense was sophomore designated player Sam Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy), who knocked in Herrick. 

John Jay did not go away quietly, as the visitors scored another run in the fourth to cut the lead down to two. But, the Gothic Knights took the run right back by taking advantage of Blue and White mistakes in the following half inning. Ayala notched another base-hit and used her blazing speed to put herself into scoring position with a stolen base. Herrick hit a hard ground ball, forcing a Bloodhound error and another Jersey City run (6-3). Fast forwarding to the sixth inning, the Blue and White looked to cut the Gothic Knight lead before their final at-bats and they did just that by bringing home another run and cutting the JC lead back to two.

Insurance runs is what the squad needed and it got more than enough. NJCU erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth, stretching the lead to 12-4 with just three outs to play. Bikowski and Ayala led of the inning with back-to-back hits, setting the table up for the middle of the Green and Gold order. After a Herrick fielders choice, Tunney again gave herself some help as she brought home Ayala and Herrick on a rocket to left-field. Collecting her first hit of the day was junior second baseman Hailey Mojica (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus). The infielder delivered in a big way as she lined a ball back up the middle, knocking home Herrick and Tunney. Wrapping up the rally right where we started off was Bikowski, who sizzled a ball through the middle to bring in another two runs and give JC the 12-4 lead with three outs left.

The Bloodhounds made a lot of noise in the last inning, scoring three runs, but the Gothic Knights were able to calm the offensive surge and take home the 12-8 victory at the Gerrity.

Highlights:
- Bikowski finished her day 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs.
- Ayala went 3-for-4 with four runs and a RBI.
- Herrick was 1-for-4 with two runs and a RBI. She leads the team in batting (.378), runs (13), hits (17) and RBI (11).
- Tunney recorded her first collegiate win and second complete game. She was also 2-for-4 with three RBI at the plate.

Up Next:
NJCU will have a quick turnaround as the squad hits the road to Bethlehem, Pa., to take on the Greyhounds of Moravian University this Thursday, March 31. Jersey City looks to continue its winning-streak into conference play as the matchup against the Greyhounds will be the final tune-up before Saturday's New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener against Rutgers-Camden. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader against MU is scheduled for 3:00 p.m, with game two starting shortly after.