Newark, NJ| The Scarlet Raiders softball team faced non-conference opponent, New York University, in a doubleheader this afternoon at Frederick Douglass Field. They would come out of the gates swinging in the opener with an 8-0 mercy rule victory but were unable to keep the good times going as they lost game two 4-0 and split the series. Rutgers-Newark stays even at 2-2 while NYU moves to 3-5 on the year.
Rutgers University-Newark (2-2) could not have gotten a more dominant performance out of there starting pitcher Jackie Lara (2-0) as she pitched five innings for a complete game shutout. Jaclyn Arute had two of the Scarlet Raiders' three hits in game two, finishing the game 2-for-3.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 8, New York University (Five innings)
Jackie Lara threw 86 pitches, striking out three batters, while surrendering one walk and three hits for no runs as she earned a complete-game shutout and her second straight victory to start the 2020 campaign. From the plate, Lara walked all three times she was at-bat and scored two runs. Masha Corbett went 2-for-2 driving in a run while scoring one of her own. Riley Scuralli was 1-for-3 with two RBI, and Brielle Mattiello had one hit on one at-bat with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored.
In the top half of the second inning, the Violets of NYU ere threatening as they loaded the bases and had no outs. Jackie Lara pulled a Houdini act and was able to work her way out of the inning without surrendering a run. With two force plays made at home from ground balls, Lara was able to strikeout Samantha Sicignano to end the inning. Lara then walked to start the bottom half of the inning and was driven home via a Riley Scuralli single. The Scarlet Raiders added a second run as Brielle Mattiello touched home on a fielder's choice from Sam Morton to take a 2-0 lead.
The onslaught continued in the next inning when Masha Corbett led off with a double. After the bases were loaded she was driven home on a walk to Mattiello. Two more runs were scored on fielder's choice plays and another run-scoring from the second bases-loaded walk of the inning. RBI going to Scuralli, Morton, Desiree Roman, respectively. The score was now 6-0 nothing and starting pitcher Eryn Onodera (0-2) who pitched all four innings of work looked defeated. She would allow two more runs to come in to end the inning on a groundout from Brianna Hernandez and a single from Masha Corbett. After three Rutgers-Newark led 8-0.
The bats stayed silent over the next two innings, and the Scarlet Raiders were able to secure the win with a mercy rule as they shutout the Violets of NYU 8-0 through five.
Game 2: New York University 4, Rutgers-Newark 0
The script was flipped in game two as the Violets turned to their ace Maggie Swan (3-3). Swan hurled 88 pitches through seven innings allowing just three hits and no runs to pick up the complete-game shutout. At the dish, she was just as effective going 2-for-3 with a double a walk and a run scored. Opposite her was Samantha Huetter, who started the game but only pitched three innings. Huetter was very effective as she tossed 28 pitches, striking out a batter and allowed just one hit. Michelle Capizzano came in for relief at the start of the fourth and threw 78 pitches striking out six but allowed four runs on seven hits.
The first run of the game did not come in until the fourth when Capizzano gave up a run after throwing ball four to Maggie Swan in the dirt. The ball got away from the catcher, Sam Morton and Caroline Saccacio who led off the inning with a double scored from third.
Capizzano settled in to form and pitched a scoreless fifth. However, in the sixth, the Violets were able to string together three runs on three hits. Lauren Kong singled up the middle with the bases juiced to bring home a run, and Sara Mehrle brought home two more with a base knock to right.
After being held hitless by Swan in the sixth the Scarlet Raiders were able to lead off the seventh with a base knock from Jaclyn Arute. Unfortunately, for the women of Newark, Maggie Swan would slam the door shut and end the slim glimmer of hope the Scarlet Raiders had. She did not allow a hit the rest of the inning and the Violets of New York University won game two 4-0.
The dates for the following games for the softball program are to be determined.
