Galloway, N.J. – 19th-ranked Stockton University (24-4, 10-2 NJAC) came from behind in each game to sweep The College of New Jersey (19-11, 8-4 NJAC). The Ospreys erased a 2-0 deficit to win the opener 4-2 and rallied from 5-1 down to take the nightcap 9-7.
In the first game,
Emily Clauss (Delanco/BCIT) went 2-3 with a double and a run.
Emma Coldsnow (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) provided the big hit with a two-run home run that was the difference in the game.
TCNJ started with two runs in the top of the first, but Stockton starter
Lexi Liquori (Union/Union) then pitched four scoreless innings to give her team a chance to rally.
The Ospreys got on the board in unique fashion in the bottom of the fourth. Pinch-runner
Caitlin Lynch (Manchester/Manchester Twp.) scored all the way from second base on a wild pitch that bounced off the backstop and rolled toward the Stockton dugout.
Stockton tied it 2-2 in the fifth inning as
Cassie Stallwood (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by
McKenna George (Centennial, Colo/Eaglecrest).
Coldsnow clobbered a long, two-run homer in the sixth frame that broke the tie and lifted the Ospreys to the 4-2 triumph.
Elizabeth Martin (Port Republic/Cedar Creek) pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the win.
In the second game,
Alexa Panagopoylos (Atco/Hammonton) led a 13-hit attack with four hits, including two doubles, plus three RBI and two runs. George and
Caitlin Cetrulo (Caldwell/Caldwell) contributed two hits apiece and combined to score three runs.
Coldsnow doubled home Lynch in second inning for a 1-0 edge, but TCNJ scored five times in the top of the third. Stockton quickly answered with five runs in the bottom half to pull ahead 6-5. Panagopoylos rapped a two-run single and
Regan Mendick (Newark, Del./Red Lion Christian) whacked a two-run double during the big inning.
TCNJ's Maya Knasiak hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to put the Lions on top 7-6, but the Ospreys once again responded right away. In the bottom half of the inning, Cetrulo scored on a wild pitch and Panagopoylos stroked an RBI double to give Stockton an 8-7 lead.
Panagopoylos scored the last run of the game on an RBI groundout by Stallwood in the sixth frame, and the Ospreys completed the sweep 9-7.
Liquori collected the win with 2.1 innings of work out the bullpen, allowing two runs, one of which was unearned, on two hits. Starting pitcher
Casey Sokol (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) reentered the game in the seventh inning and earned a save, holding the Lions scoreless.
For TCNJ, Morgan Leonhauser went 2-3 with a double and two RBI in game one. Gianna Vazquez went 2-3 and Knasiak hit a two-run home run in game two.
Stockton will host 24-8 Swarthmore in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
