Newark, NJ| The Scarlet Raiders softball program kicked off their 2020 campaign this afternoon at the Frederick Douglass Field against non-conference opponent, St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn. The women got the afternoon started in the win column with a 6-3 victory, however, the Bears of St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn came out strong in game two winning 3-1 to split the doubleheader and stay .500 at 6-6.
Rutgers University Newark (1-1) was led by Jackie Lara (1-0) in the circle for the first game as she pitched five innings and struck out four en route to the first win of the season. Samantha Huetter finished the doubleheader going 1-for-2 after she belted a triple and drew a walk.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 6, St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn 3
Jackie Lara hurled 92 pitches through five innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Lara was also 1-for-1 from the plate with a run scored. Riley Scuralli was untouchable in this one as she was 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI and one run scored. Jaclyn Arute had two hits over four at-bats and drove in a run.
In the second inning, Jackie Lara found herself standing on second base after hitting a single into center and having the center fielder misplay the ball. She was driven home two batters later via Riley Scuralli, who pulled a ball out of the infield in between short a third.
The Scarlet Raiders would take the one-run cushion into fourth led by the dominant pitching of Jackie Lara. After stealing second, Brielle Mattiello was driven home by Scuarlli, and Rutgers-Newark was up 2-0. The Bears would get a run back in the following inning when Alyssa Morales attempted to throw a runner out at the plate but misfired. The ball winded up in the ground, and a run came home.
It was the bottom of the sixth when the game opened up as the Scarlet Raiders scored three runs on four hits. Scuralli brought Mattiello home once again this time with a double, followed by Desiree Roman bringing Scuralli home with a single to left. The inning was capped off when Masha Corbett hit a pop up that was dropped by the shortstop, Alexis Buchanan. Scarlet Raiders led by a score of 6-1 after six.
The Bears were able to score two runs in the seventh and final inning but the comeback would halt right there, as the Scarlet Raiders held off the visitors to pick up their first win of 2020.
Game 2: St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn 3, Rutgers-Newark 1
Paige Massiello got the start for the Scarlet Raiders in game two throwing 82 pitches over seven innings. She struck out four and surrendered three runs on eight hits. Along with a Samantha Huetter triple, Jacklyn Arute and Riley Scuralli both went 1-for-3 as the Scarlet Raiders would only muster three hits against Jessica Mecham (3-2) in game two.
Mecham pitched seven complete innings of three-hit ball, striking out two on 86 pitches en route to her third win of the year.
The second game started in the Bears favor right away as Ashleigh Hartwig smacked a triple to right-center to bring home the games first run in the first inning. Hartwig finished the game going 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. She touched home after Alexis Buchanon doubled to left-center.
After the early two runs, the game was quiet as both starting pitchers found there form. Nicole Trani doubled to bring home Ashleigh Hartwig from first in the sixth inning for an important insurance run.
With the Scarlet Raiders down to their final out in the seventh, Desiree Roman hit a comebacker to the pitcher with runners on the corners. The ball was dropped by the first baseman and the Scarlet Raiders scored their first run of the game. Brianna Hernandez stepped up to the dish representing the winning run but popped up to the pitcher, Jessica Mecham, the catch was made and the game was over.
The Scarlet Raiders will be in action at home in Newark, NJ Tuesday, March 10 with a doubleheader against New York University. The first pitch for game one is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
