LITTLE RIVER, S.C. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) softball team secured its first victory of the 2026 season with a 7-4 win over Cairn University on Tuesday, March 10, at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic hosted at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.
The Gothic Knights (1-7) were outhit by the Highlanders (0-4), 11-10, but capitalized on four Cairn errors while committing two of their own.
In the top of the second inning, Cairn broke the scoreless tie with three runs on three hits and two NJCU errors. Two of the three runs were unearned.
The Gothic Knights responded in the bottom half of the inning to cut the deficit to one. Junior Elyze Lopez (Reseda, Calif./John F. Kennedy) led off with a walk and advanced to second when junior Shannon McGuire (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) also walked. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position before freshman Jennie Carmona (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) drew another walk to load the bases with one out. With two outs, freshman Marisela Cardona (Avenel, N.J./Colonia) delivered a single up the middle, bringing home Lopez and McGuire to make it 3-2.
NJCU took the lead in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Lopez reached on a throwing error after laying down a bunt toward third base. McGuire followed with a single to right-center, moving Lopez to second. Senior Emily Andrade (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) then singled to second base to score Lopez and tie the game at 3-3 while placing runners on the corners. Carmona followed with a single through the right side to plate McGuire and give the Gothic Knights their first lead of the game. Sophomore Emma Hanlon (Highland, N.Y./Highland) added an RBI single to third base that scored Andrade, extending the lead to 5-3.
Cairn trimmed the deficit to one in the top of the fourth after three consecutive singles produced a run, making it 5-4.
NJCU added insurance in the bottom of the fifth. Hanlon reached on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, then stole two bases before scoring on a Cardona single to right field. Junior Danika Borza (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) then hit a fly ball to center field that resulted in an error, allowing her to advance to second while Cardona crossed the plate for the final run and a 7-4 advantage.
Cairn recorded three hits over the final two innings but could not complete the comeback.
Cardona led the Gothic Knights offensively, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Carmona finished 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Hanlon, Borza, and Andrade each drove in a run. Senior Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) also went 2-for-4, while McGuire and Lopez scored two runs apiece. Hanlon also added two stolen bases.
Lopez earned her first win of the season in the circle, pitching her second complete game of the year. She allowed 11 hits and two earned runs over 7.0 innings while striking out one batter.
For Cairn, Korina Feliciano, Sarah Beloyan, and Ava Schneider recorded RBIs, while four different Highlanders scored runs. Schneider pitched six innings, allowing 10 hits and three earned runs while striking out one.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will face Gwynedd Mercy and Mitchell College on the final day of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. First pitch against Gwynedd Mercy is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. matchup with Mitchell.
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