NEW YORK – Senior shortstop Charlotte Labate, who went five for seven on the day, keyed the game-winning rally in game two as Rutgers-Newark earned a doubleheader split against the College of Staten Island, losing 5-4 in the opening and winning 6-5 in the nightcap.
NCAA Statistics: CSI 5, R-N 4 R-N 6, CSI 5
The Scarlet Raiders (3-13) pushed across three runs in each of the first two innings then held on for the win. The Raiders gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh in game one after losing pitcher Elena Morge singled home the go-ahead run for Rutgers-Newark in the top of the inning.
In game two, Labate, who went three for four, ripped a two-run doubles to center field in both the first and second. She scored what proved to be the winning run on a passed ball followed by a wild pitch.
Senior second baseman Shauna Gallagher and Morge each scored twice on Labate hits. Gallagher singled and Morge walked in the first before Labate's initial double. Sophomore rightfielder Sam Weer doubled to center with two out to plate Labate for a quick 3-0 lead. In the second, Gallagher doubled and Morge singled to again set the table for Labate.
Freshman first baseman Shannon Davis went two for three with a double in game two while senior Jess Murray (1-4) picked up the win by scattering seven hits while striking out one and walking one.
Senior shortstop Nicole Estrada highlighted a four-run, five-hit outburst by the Dolphins (3-8) in the third with a two-run triple. After allowing one more run in the fourth, Murray settled down to finish the complete-game win.
In the opener, Morge (2-5) was the hard-luck loser, allowing just six singles while striking out two and walking eight.
Freshman centerfielder Jessica Zelaya delivered a two-run, two-out single in the third to stake Rutgers-Newark to an early 2-0 lead after senior catcher Nikki Spampinato and Davis led off the inning with back-to-back singles.
Labate singled and scored from third on a bases-loaded ground out to second by Davis to up the Raider lead to 3-0.
But, Morge walked three batters to give up one run in the bottom of the third before Estrada ripped a two-run, two-out single in the fifth to knot the score.
Rutgers-Newark enters New Jersey Athletic Conference play at William Paterson on Saturday. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
