MONTCLAIR, N.J. — The New Jersey City University softball team squared off against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Montclair State University in a road doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon, April 25. The Gothic Knights hung with the Red Hawks in game one, falling 6-5, before dropping the second game, 13-2.
Game 1: Montclair State 6, NJCU 5
The first matchup of the day saw the Red Hawks (19-15, 5-11 NJAC) build up a 6-1 lead after four innings of play. However, the Gothic Knights (13-21, 2-14 NJAC) nearly came all the way back with two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to nearly pull off the comeback.
After nearly breaking through in the top of the third, NJCU scored its first run of the day in the top of the fourth inning, making it 3-1 at the time. Junior
Sidnie Dabbadie (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) — who got the start in the circle in this one — led off with a single to left. She was moved into scoring position thanks to a sac bunt from sophomore first baseman
Jaelynn Barrios (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) before getting replaced by pinch runner sophomore
Victoria Devoto (Ridgefield, N.J./Immaculate Conception). Junior designated player
Sam Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) then pushed Devoto to third with a gourndout. Sophomore catcher
Abby Castro (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Tech) recorded her 16th RBI of the season with a single to left.
In the top of the fifth, Jersey City loaded the bases with just one out thanks to singles from freshman outfielder
Yavely Marrero (Perth Amboy, N.J./Perth Amboy) and junior shortstop
Emily Tunney (Mays Landing, N.J./Oak Crest), as well as a walk from junior second baseman
Mariah Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic). Dabbadie then came through with a two-run single to left, which gave her a team-leading 17 RBI on the year. NJCU loaded the bases one again, but a double-play ended the inning.
The Gothic Knights put two more runs on the board in the top of the sixth. Castro led off with a single before rookie outfielder
Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) drilled the second triple of her career to center, cutting the lead to 6-4. After two straight outs, Tunney then came to bat and promptly singled to left to plate Rosales and make it 6-5. Unfortunately, the scoring would end there.
Game 2: Montclair State 13, NJCU 2 (5 innings)
A couple big innings from the Red Hawks were the difference in this one, although NJCU did have a two-run output in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Miller kicked it off with a single to center before moving over to second on a wild pitch. Castro then notched a base-hit to center, as well, and Miller was in safely at third despite the throw, which allowed Castro to get to second. With two runners in scoring position, Rosales struck again with a two-run double to center.
Highlights:
- Castro finished 4-for-6 with two runs and a RBI on the day.
- Rosales had a team-high three RBI and was 3-for-6 with a run, a double and a triple. She also stole a base.
- Tunney was 3-for-7 with a run and a RBI.
- Dabbadie went the distance once again in game one, allowing six earned on seven hits with four strikeouts.
Up Next:
Jersey City returns to action back at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex this Saturday, April 29, for its NJAC regular-season finale. The doubleheader against #14 Rowan University begins at 1:00 p.m.
