MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) softball team had an outstanding performance on Tuesday, March 11, securing two impressive victories against King's College (Pa.) and William Peace University at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. The Gothic Knights triumphed 8-5 over King's College and 9-6 against William Peace, marking a strong start to the season with a 5-1 record. This is the best start for the program since 2010, when they were also 5-1 after six games. The first win of the day against King's was especially notable, as it was their first-ever victory over the Lions, while the win over William Peace marked the first time the teams had faced off.

Game One: NJCU vs. King's College (Pa.)
In the opening game, the Gothic Knights came out on top with an 8-5 victory over King's College, thanks to a strong offensive showing and solid pitching. Right fielder Alonah Olden (Lake George, N.Y./Lake George) and shortstop Jordan Mendolla (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) were the standout offensive players for NJCU, each contributing two RBIs. Mendolla finished the game 2-for-4 with a double, while Olden went 1-for-4, including a triple. Catcher Abby Castro (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Tech) also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 and adding a crucial RBI. Designated player Emily Cammarata (Matawan , N.J./Matawan Regional) contributed two hits, scored twice, and added an RBI. Freshman pitcher Danika Borza (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) collected her second win of the season, going the full 7.0 innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out two batters.

The Gothic Knights opened the scoring in the third inning after a quiet first two frames. Olden led off with a triple to left field, setting the stage for Cammarata to reach base on a fielding error. With runners on the corners, Mendolla singled to second base, scoring Olden and advancing to second on a throwing error, which allowed Cammarata to cross the plate for a 2-0 lead. The momentum continued as Castro singled to left, bringing Mendolla home, and then Doyle extended the lead to 4-0 with a single to right field, scoring Castro. The offense didn't stop there, as Cheyenn Fulton (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) walked to load the bases, and Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) hit a double to left-center, bringing in two more runs for a 5-0 lead. The Lions' defense struggled, committing three errors in the inning, allowing NJCU to capitalize and build a commanding 7-0 advantage.

King's College fought back in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs on a double and a triple. The Lions' offensive rally continued into the sixth inning, where they cut the deficit to 8-4. Despite a couple more NJCU errors, the Gothic Knights held their ground, and Borza shut down the Lions in the final two innings. King's College managed one more run in the seventh, but NJCU closed out the game with two groundouts to seal the 8-5 win.
While the Gothic Knights had 12 hits, including two doubles and a triple, their defense was a bit shaky, committing four errors in the game. Despite the defensive struggles, the offense more than made up for it with timely hitting and a solid pitching performance by Borza.

Game Two: NJCU vs. William Peace
In the second game of the day, NJCU faced William Peace University, and despite a slow start, the Gothic Knights fought back to win 9-6. Mya Villanueva (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) was the driving force for NJCU, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, including a triple. Mendolla and Meaghan Doyle (Hardwick, Mass./Quabbin Regional) also played key roles in the victory, with Mendolla recording two RBIs, two doubles, and two runs scored, while Doyle added two RBIs of her own. Jaelynn Barrios (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) contributed two hits, including a double, and Abby Castro (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Tech) hit a triple, marking the first of her career. Maggie Martin (Spring Lake Heights, N.J./Manasquan), a sophomore pitcher, earned her first win of the season, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing seven hits while striking out two. Freshman Borza relieved Martin in the final two innings, allowing just two hits and keeping the Pacers from scoring further.

William Peace jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on two hits and a fielding error by NJCU. The Pacers extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning after a double, followed by a groundout and a sacrifice fly. The Gothic Knights struggled offensively through the first four innings, managing only two hits. However, they came alive in the fifth inning, thanks to a string of clutch hits and some excellent base running.

With one out, Cheyenn Fulton (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) reached base on an error, and Emma Hanlon (Highland, N.Y./Highland) followed with a single to right field, putting runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and Olden walked to load the bases. Mendolla delivered a clutch double down the left-field line, driving in two runs. Villanueva then singled to right field to score another run, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Castro moved the runners along with a groundout, and with two runners in scoring position, Doyle singled up the middle to tie the game at 5-5.

In the sixth inning, Borza came in to relieve Martin and held the Pacers scoreless. NJCU's offense continued to shine in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and Cammarata on first base, Mendolla doubled down the left-field line to put two runners in scoring position. Villanueva stepped up with a huge triple, scoring both runners to give NJCU their first lead of the game, 7-5. Castro followed with a triple of her own, bringing Villanueva home for an 8-5 lead. A costly error by the Pacers allowed Castro to score, giving NJCU a 9-5 advantage. William Peace added one more run in the top of the seventh, but Borza sealed the win with a groundout, giving the Gothic Knights a 9-6 victory. NJCU finished the game with 10 hits, including four extra-base hits, while William Peace recorded seven hits.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights close out the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Class today, March 12, with a doubleheader against Penn State-Schuylkill and Penn State-Scranton at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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