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NEWARK, N.J. (April 24, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark softball team earned a key New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader split against nationally-ranked No. 21 Rowan University Tuesday on Alumni Field.
The score of the opener was 2-0 in favor of the Raiders thanks in large part to a sparkling pitching performance from
Kelly Yusko, and Rowan won the nightcap, 7-0. Rutgers-Newark moves to 7-7 in the league and 21-12 overall, while the Profs move to 27-8-1 overall and 11-5 in the NJAC.
NJAC Standings
The 21 wins match the Rutgers-Newark single-season wins record set back in 2016 and give the Scarlet Raider softball program its second 20-win campaign in the last three seasons.
Between the two games, R-N honored five seniors playing for the final time on Alumni Field during the regular season in
Morgan Schweitzer,
Sam Held,
Kayla Gallo,
Morgan Walizer and
Kelly Yusko. The quintet now has 75 wins during their four years which mark the best four-year stretch in Newark history.
Rutgers-Newark 2, Rowan 0
Yusko was masterful in the opener, tossing a three-hit beauty to lead the Scarlet Raiders to the key conference win. It was the ninth career complete-game shutout for Yusko who improved to 7-4 on the season. The senior walked two and struck out four in her finest performance of her senior year.
The two pitchers – Yusko and Lauren Shannon of Rowan – matched zeroes for the first four frames, and Rutgers-Newark broke through with the game-winner in the fifth. Sophomore outfielder
Brielle Mattiello laced a double in the gap in left-center with one out and she came around to score after an infield single off the bat of Walizer. Walizer's single was chased down deep in the hole between short and third, but the Profs' shortstop kicked the ball behind third, allowing Mattiello to score.
Rutgers-Newark added a big insurance run in the sixth. Freshman
Julie Contravo pocketed a single to lead off the inning, and after a fielder's choice, sophomore right fielder
Sarah Stiehler came through with a booming double to plate R-N's second run of the game.
Yusko was in total control for the entire game, working around a pair of hits in the first and single baserunners in the second, fourth and seventh. She retired the side in order three times.
Offensively, the Scarlet Raiders racked up eight hits, getting a splendid 3-for-3 game from Walizer. Contravo had two hits along with Stiehler (2-for-2) who also had the lone R-N RBI in the game. Mattiello had a hit and a run scored as the Scarlet Raiders totaled three doubles in the game (Walizer, Stiehler and Mattiello).
Rowan 7, Rutgers-Newark 0
The Profs scored four runs in the first inning and were in control for the duration of Tuesday's second game, getting a great pitching performance from Jesse DeDomenico who fired a complete-game no-hitter to improve to 14-4.
Walizer suffered the loss for Rutgers-Newark, and freshman
Paige Masiello fired 6.1 solid innings of relief, scattering seven hits and allowing two earned runs.
Stiehler and freshman
Angela Haines each drew a walk to lead the Rutgers-Newark offense, and Walizer was hit by a pitch to get on base.
Rowan totaled 11 hits in the game, getting multiple knocks from four different players.
Up Next: Rutgers-Newark has four conference games remaining on its regular-season schedule, and the Scarlet Raiders are fighting for a berth in the upcoming conference tournament. R-N will visit Ramapo College Friday and Stockton University Saturday.
