LITTLE RIVER, S.C. – The New Jersey City University softball team fell to Penn State Altoona, 11–6, on Sunday, March 8 at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at NMB Sports Complex.
The Gothic Knights (0–4) were outhit 17–11 by the Lions (2–3) but forced two Altoona errors while committing one of their own.
Penn State Altoona jumped ahead early, scoring eight runs on eight hits in the top of the first inning. NJCU responded in the bottom half when junior Jaeda Figueroa (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) doubled to left field, moved to third during sophomore Kiara Taylor's (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) at-bat, and scored on a wild pitch to make it 8–1.
The Lions added another run in the second inning following a double and a dropped fly ball in left field to extend the lead to 9–1.
NJCU trimmed the deficit in the third inning. Sophomore Emily Cammarata (Matawan , N.J./Matawan Regional) reached on a bunt to the pitcher, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a groundout before freshman Jennie Carmona (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) singled up the middle to drive her in, making it 9–2.
The Gothic Knights continued to chip away in the fifth inning, scoring three runs on three hits. Figueroa walked, stole second, and scored on Carmona's second RBI single of the game. Taylor later reached base and advanced to third on a single by junior Danika Borza (Keyport, N.J./Keyport) before senior Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) delivered a triple down the left-field line to bring home Taylor and Borza, cutting the deficit to 9–5.
Penn State Altoona added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings with a run in each frame, extending its lead to 11–5.
NJCU plated one final run in the bottom of the seventh when Borza singled to right-center and later scored on Rosales' double to left-center, but the comeback attempt fell short.
Rosales led the Gothic Knights, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a triple and a double. Carmona finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Borza went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Figueroa added a double, a stolen base, and two runs scored.
Kara Lansberry paced the Lions with four RBIs, going 2-for-4. Riley Best and Allison Beeman each went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
Junior Elyze Lopez (Reseda, Calif./John F. Kennedy) (0–1) pitched a complete game for NJCU, allowing 17 hits and 10 earned runs while striking out two. Madison Kennedy (1–2) earned the win for Penn State Altoona, throwing six innings while allowing eight hits and four earned runs with four strikeouts.
UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to action Monday, March 9 at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, facing Immaculata at 11 a.m. and Penn State Abington at 1 p.m.
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