Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

NEWARK, NJ – Junior left-hander Brianna Alicchio blanked Ramapo, 2-0, on five hits as Rutgers-Newark split a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on Alumni Field.  The Roadrunners scored nine runs in the sixth inning to take the opener, 11-2.

IN GAME TWO, Alicchio (2-12) scattered five hits while walking no one for her second career shutout.  She struck out one batter and got solid defensive help, particularly from junior outfielders Tori Santiago and Tina Zaggia.  Each made outstanding catches to rob Roadrunners of extra-base hits and preserve the shutout.

Zaggia, who delivered two doubles, stroked the game-winning two-out, two-run double to left field in the bottom of the second.  Junior first baseman Liane Drastal, who was aboard following a lead-off error by Ramapo, and designated player Bianca Arroyo, who drew a one out walk, scored.

Junior shortstop Tiara Santi collected the other Raider hits against Ramapo hard-luck loser Harley Masiello (7-6) who gave up no earned runs and just four hits while striking out two.  Her only walk allowed was to Arroyo in the second inning.

Freshman leftfielder Danielle Saporito went two for three to pace the Roadrunners while freshman first baseman Kelly Ross and senior pinch hitter Lisa Orlando delivered two-out doubles in the second and sixth innings, respectively, only to number among the seven runners left on base by the visitors.

IN GAME ONE, Ramapo (14-12, NJAC 5-7) exploded for nine runs on seven hits in the sixth inning to break open a tight contest.  The Roadrunners stroked three doubles in the inning and capped the rally with a grand slam home run to dead center field by Orlando which bounced out of freshman Krista Casale's glove at the fence.

Alicchio got the loss, giving up six runs on a dozen hits before giving way to Drastal with the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth.  Drastal got out of the inning after giving up five runs on three hits – including the grand slam.

Orlando went four for four while six other Roadrunners notched two hits apiece in the 15-hit assault.

Junior lefty Nicole Schneider (6-6) got the victory, scattering five hits while striking out one and walking no one.

Rutgers-Newark knotted the score at 1-1 in the fourth when senior third baseman Monica Liotto doubled to lead off the inning and Drastal followed with a line-drive triple to right field.

After a fielding error put Santi on second base to lead off the sixth, Liotto singled through the left side of the infield for the final run of the mercy-rule shortened contest.

The NJAC win was the second for the Raiders in their last three games.  Rutgers-Newark (7-19, NJAC 2-10) downed New Jersey City, 2-1 in eight innings, in the second game of a Saturday league twin bill.

Rutgers-Newark travels to Glassboro on Saturday at 1 p.m. for an NJAC doubleheader against Rowan.  Sunday, the Raiders host Baruch College on Alumni Field at 11 a.m. in a doubleheader rescheduled from March.