Galloway N.J. – No. 5 seed Stockton University (24-18) snapped a 1-1 tie with two runs in the seventh inning and stayed alive in the NJAC Tournament with a 3-1 victory over No. 6 seed Montclair State (23-18) in an elimination game.
Lilly James (Roseland/West Essex) was the catalyst for the Stockton offense with two hits, two RBI and a run. James stroked a clutch two-run single in the seventh frame to break the tie.
Vanessa Tancini (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman) contributed two hits and an RBI.
Playing on its home field, Stockton batted first after losing a coin toss earlier in the day that determined home/visitor designations. The Ospreys capitalized right away as James led off with a bunt single. The shortstop later stole third base and then scored on a bunt single by Tancini for a 1-0 lead.
Starting pitcher
Stevie Unger (Tower City, Pa./Williams Valley) was masterful through 4.2 innings, holding the Red Hawks scoreless, but she was matched by Montclair State hurler Ali Cavallaro. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Red Hawks strung together a walk, stolen base and RBI single to tie the game 1-1.
The deadlock remained until the top of the seventh when Stockton loaded the bases, setting the stage for James, who stroked a two-run single through the left side with two outs to put the Ospreys on top 3-1.
Freshman pitcher
Nerina Tramp (Blackwood/Highland), who had entered the game one inning earlier, retired MSU in order in the bottom of the seventh including two strikeouts looking to clinch the 3-1 Stockton triumph. Tramp earned her seventh win of the season with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Unger allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks in five strong innings of work, but the sophomore was not involved in the decision.
Charli Czaczkowski (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) contributed a hit and walk, extending her hitting streak to nine games and reached base streak to 19 games.
Alyssa Borozan went 2-4 with the lone RBI for Montclair State. Starting pitcher Cavallaro tossed six innings and allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk, but like Unger was not involved in the decision.
The remainder of the NJAC Tournament is slated to be played at Kean University tomorrow and Saturday. Stockton's next game will be against No. 2 seed Kean tomorrow at 4 p.m., with the loser eliminated from the tournament.
