Madison, NJ | The Scarlet Raiders softball program picked up a game one win against Drew University before falling in game two. Rutgers-Newark downed Drew, 11-3, in the opening game before Drew rallied back to a 4-3 win in game two.
Sarah Stiehler had an outstanding afternoon at the plate. Stiehler finished 4-for-7 with six RBI, both of which lead the Scarlet Raiders.
Julie Contravo followed suit with four runs while going 3-for-6.
Jaclyn Arute tallied a pair of RBI and scored a run and went 3-for-8 at the dish.
In the circle,
Michelle Capizzano (1-5) picked up her first win with a solid four-inning performance. In the four innings, Capizzano sent seven batters packing via strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two runs in the win.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 11, Drew University 3 (6inn.)
The Scarlet Raiders spread four runs over the course of the second and third inning, giving them a 4-0 lead.
Sam Morton got the scoring started with a single RBI to center field which brought home Contravo.
Brianna Hernandez laid down a sacrifice bunt to double their lead.
The scoring continued in the third when Stiehler collected two of her five RBIs with a triple to right center. Both Contravo and
Brielle Mattiello benefitted as they were able to cross home plate to give the Scarlet Raiders a 4-0 lead. Mattiello had reached with an earlier single while Contravo was able to reach via a base on balls.
Drew University answered with a pair of runs of their own the fourth. Sirota reached via an error in the field which allowed Grodski to score an unearned run. Another fielding error led to Rodriguez coming home to cut Rutgers-Newark's lead down to just two.
Rutgers-Newark exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth inning. Arute was able to get the hitting started with a lead-off single before Mattiello reached on a fielder's choice.
Jackie Lara loaded the bases after patiently waiting at the plate to earn a walk. Stiehler hit her second triple of the game, this time it cleared the bases to score three runs.
Alyssa Morales helped the Scarlet Raiders score their 9th run with a single to left field which brought home Stiehler.
Drew added one more run in the fifth but was unable to stop the run rule from taking effect.
Game 2: Drew 4, Rutgers-Newark 3
Once again, the Scarlet Raiders took a 2-0 lead after both Stiehler and Contravo collected an RBI. A single to right center for the Rangers cut the lead in half before the Scarlet Raiders once again pushed their lead out to two.
With no offensive outburst by Rutgers-Newark in the second game, the Drew Rangers were able to score three unanswered runs scattered across the final two innings to prevent the sweep.
Paige Masiello threw 4.1 innings and tallied a pair of strikeouts and allowed just one run on seven hits.
Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is an NJAC matchup with William Paterson University at 1:00 pm at Frederick Douglass Field on Saturday, March 30.
