JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University softball team faced off with New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe Montclair State University on Tuesday afternoon, April 26, for a pair of games at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. Unfortunately, the Gothic Knights were defeated by the Red Hawks in both matchups, however there were several bright spots throughout the day. Prior to game two, NJCU celebrated its five graduating student-athletes on Senior Day. Then, in the home half of the game two's second inning, freshman catcher
Abby Castro (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Tech) blasted the first home run of her career.
As mentioned, the Gothic Knights (9-24, 1-15 NJAC) took time between the two halves of Tuesday's doubleheader to honor its five graduating seniors:
Brianna Loughlin (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge),
Emily Ruiz (Jersey City, N.J./County Prep),
Katherine Ayala (Jersey City, N.J./University Academy Charter),
Alissa Bikowski (South Amboy, N.J./South Amboy) and
Emma Herrick (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial). Click through the album below to see the photos from the ceremony.
Gallery: (4-26-2022) 2022 NJCU Softball Senior Day
Game 1: Montclair State 9, NJCU 0 (6 innings)
Despite only being outhit by the Red Hawks (22-15, 6-10 NJAC) just 9-5, Jersey City was never able to string together any significant rallies in this, falling to Montclair State, 9-0. Sophomore
Sidnie Dabbadie (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) got the start in the circle and the righthander tossed 5.1 innings, striking out six batters before her classmate
Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oak Crest) came in to finish up the final 0.2 innings.
Bikowski was 1-for-3 in this one with a double, while Loughlin made her third start of the season, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Freshman third baseman
Mya Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) was also 1-for-2 with a walk, while her older sister, sophomore
Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) and Tunney accounted for the other two hits on the game.
Game 2: Montclair State 11, NJCU 3 (5 innings)
This one started out rough for the Gothic Knights, as the Red Hawks put up nine runs in the top of the first, six of which came before the first out was recorded. However, from that point forward Jersey City outscored Montclair State 3-2. Sophomore
Sam Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) entered in the top of the first with one out and gave up just two earned over her 4.2 innings in the circle.
After a scoreless bottom of the first and top of the second, the Gothic Knights made their mark in the home half of the second. Mya V. led off with a one-out blast that came up
just shy of going over the leftfield fence. However, the ball was hit so hard, that Villanueva was only able to record a single. Not to worry, however, because in the very next at-bat, Castro went yard for the first time in her career, sailing one over the left-center fence. The rookie catcher rounded the bases following her two-run shot and was greeted at home plate by the entirety of the NJCU roster and emotions — all happy — ran high in celebration. Click the video below to watch the play in real time:
Montclair State started another rally in the top of the third and extended the lead to 11-2. However the damage could have been mich worse, but thankfully Herrick made an outstanding diving play at first to double up the runner and end the inning. Click the video below to watch the play in real time.
The Gothic Knights got one more across in the bottom of the third. Bikowski led off with a bunt single to the pitcher, followed by a single from Ayala that put runners on the corners. Herrick was up next and she rang a liner right back to the pitcher and the play was unable to be made, resulting in a RBI infield single for the senior. That would be the final offense from either side on the day.
Up Next:
The Green and Gold return to action on Saturday afternoon, April 30, for a road doubleheader in South Jersey against the #16-ranked team in the nation, Rowan University. First-pitck of game one in Glassboro, N.J., is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
