LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — The New Jersey City University (NJCU) Gothic Knights softball team dropped its final game of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, falling 12–1 to the Mitchell College Mariners on Wednesday afternoon at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.
Mitchell jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning, stringing together three hits and capitalizing on an NJCU error to take a 3–0 advantage. The Mariners added three more runs in the second inning behind another trio of hits to extend the lead to 6–0.
After the early scoring surge, sophomore Elize Lopez settled in the circle for the Gothic Knights, holding the Mariners to just one hit over the next two innings.
NJCU broke through in the fourth inning for its lone run of the game. Freshman Jennie Carmona (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) reached base with a walk and advanced before scoring on a single to second base by sophomore Emma Hanlon (Highland, N.Y./Highland), cutting the deficit to 6–1.
Mitchell responded in the fifth inning with two runs on three hits, including a double and a triple, to push the lead to 8–1. Both teams were held hitless in the sixth, but the Mariners added four runs in the top of the seventh inning on five hits to secure the 12–1 victory.
Junior Jaeda Figueroa (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) gave NJCU a late scoring opportunity with a double and later advanced to third, but the Mariners were able to close out the game.
Hanlon recorded the lone RBI for NJCU, while senior Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Lopez also went 2-for-2, and both Rosales and Figueroa recorded doubles.
Lopez (1–2) made the start in the circle, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing eight runs (two earned) on 10 hits while striking out two batters. Junior Danika Borza (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) pitched the final 2.1 innings in relief, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out three.
For Mitchell, Brooke Clancy led the Mariners offensively with four RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Olivia DeCiccio earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing one run on eight hits and striking out three.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Saturday, March 21 with a road doubleheader against the Saint Elizabeth University Eagles, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University Athletics, visit NJCUGothicKnights.com and follow the Gothic Knights on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
