NEWARK, NJ | The Rutgers University-Newark softball team bounced back with a pair of wins today at Frederick Douglass Field against non-conference foe, John Jay College. The Scarlet Raiders took down the Bloodhounds, 8-0 in game one before following that up with a 5-1 win in game two.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 8, John Jay 0 (5 inn.)
Rutgers-Newark (11-14) scattered eight hits and scored eight runs in the opening game of the doubleheader. Both Jackie Lara and Brianna Hernandez finished the game 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs while Alex Di Martino went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Lara (6-7) hurled five innings and tallied eight strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
John Jay (9-16) had three separate batters record a hit for their team. Leading the pack was Maleea Gallaspy who picked up a triple. Madison Gil (1-3) allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and tallied one strikeout.
After being held scoreless in the first inning, the Scarlet Raiders rectified that in the 2nd inning with six runs. Alex Di Martino got the scoring started for the Scarlet Raiders with an RBI single to left field. With the bases loaded, Michelle McMillan and Brianna Hernandez each recorded an RBI single to bring in two more runs before Jackie Lara capped the scoring with a bases-clearing double.
From there, Rutgers-Newark added two more in the 3rd behind a Hernandez double to right field which plated two runs. Lara held the Bloodhounds scoreless for two more innings to activate the run rule to end the game in five innings.
Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 5, John Jay 1
Rutgers-Newark (12-14) had Michelle Capizzano (6-6) tally 10 strikeouts and allow just three hits in her 6th win of the year. Lara once again led the way at the dish with 3 RBIs and a pair of runs while finishing the game 2-for-3. Capizzano, McMillan, and Megan Tomaselli all added a pair of hits in the win.
John Jay (9-17) was led offensively by Rylea Sandel who went 2-for-3 from the plate while Alisha Cherian added the other hit for the Bloodhounds.
The opening pair of innings was a pitcher's duel as neither team was able to plate a run until the 3rd inning. In the 3rd, Lara took advantage of McMillan and Di Martino reaching via singles by hitting a 2 RBI single through the left side.
John Jay scored their only run of the doubleheader in the top of the 5th when Tresch stole 3rd then advanced home on the throwing error.
Mia Lopez put the Scarlet Raiders back on the scoreboard when she doubled to right field to score Capizzano. Tomaselli and Lara then followed that up with RBIs of their own to add two more runs to their tally to give them the 5-1 victory over the Bloodhounds.
