MAHWAH, N.J. | The Rutgers University-Newark softball team closed out its regular season this afternoon with a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader against Rutgers University-Camden hosted by Ramapo College due to unplayable field conditions in Newark. The Scarlet Raiders swept the Scarlet Raptors in a pair of very close contests, 4-3 and 2-1.
R-N concludes its regular season at 16-24 (7-11 NJAC) while R-C finishes 10-22 (5-13 NJAC).
After the games were played, Rutgers-Newark honored
Samantha Hoffman as she made her final appearance in a Scarlet Raider uniform.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 4, Rutgers-Camden 3
In the opener, the Scarlet Raptors took control early as the visitors pieced together a two-run frame in the third and tacked on a score in the fifth to build a 3-0 lead.
Still, the hosts rallied in the bottom half of the fifth.
Jaclyn Arute got things started with a one-out double over the center fielder's head before
Samantha Hoffman beat out a bunt single that moved Arute over to third.
Jackie Lara was next, and she came through, delivering an RBI base knock up the middle. Two batters later, the stage was set for
Sam Morton. With two on and two out the sophomore worked the count to 2-2 before turning on the fifth offering of the at bat, lifting it just over the left field fence for a go-ahead three-run homer.
Starter
Paige Masiello closed out the game from there, stranding a runner on third in the sixth before sitting R-C down in order in the seventh to secure the 4-3 win and improve to 7-7 on the season after a complete game effort.
Morton led the way offensively with a 2-for-3 game including three RBI and a run while Hoffman joined her with two hits.
Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 2, Rutgers-Camden 1
The Scarlet Raiders struck first in the second half of the doubleheader. Arute led off and got plunked while Hoffman followed her with a single down the left field line. A fielder's choice made it runners at the corners followed immediately by another fielder's choice to the shortstop that brought Arute home. Morton was next with a single and stolen base that set up
Brielle Mattiello with two runners in scoring position and two outs. The junior delivered with an RBI base knock to left that made it 2-0.
The Scarlet Raptors halved their deficit in the second on a walk with the bases loaded before reliever Lara worked her way out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts, maintaining a slim 2-1 edge.
It turns out that would be all Lara would need as she hurled 5.2 innings of relief, improving to 6-7 on the season, while scattering four hits and three walks in addition to fanning seven opponents.
Julie Contravo went 1-for-3 at the dish with a run and an RBI while Morton was 1-for-1 with two walks for a perfect 1.000 on-base percentage and Mattiello added an RBI.
