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2007 Wo's Softball News
2008 Softball News
Rutgers-Camden closes softball season
with NJAC sweep over Rutgers-Newark
CAMDEN (April 26, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team collected 19 hits, including four by freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape), as it ended its season with a sweep over Rutgers-Newark, 4-3 and 12-0 in five innings, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on Senior Day Saturday at Rutgers-Camden Community Park.
The Scarlet Raptors’ lone senior, shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Height5s, NJ/Governor Livingston), went 2-for-5 with two runs, two walks, a sacrifice and four RBIs in her final two games at Rutgers-Camden as she completed her brilliant four-year career among the program’s all-time leaders in numerous categories.
With their first-game win, the Scarlet Raptors clinched ninth place in the conference over the Scarlet Raiders. Rutgers-Camden finished its season at 8-28-1 overall and 3-15 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Newark closed its campaign at 5-35 and 0-18.
Game One
Rutgers-Newark nearly collected its first conference victory of the season as the Scarlet Raiders held a 3-2 lead until the Raptors struck for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior pitcher Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) opened the winning rally with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt single by sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley). Keenan sacrificed the runners up, while collecting her ninth sacrifice of the season. Keenan and freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury), who had a pair of sacrifices in the nightcap, each finished the year with nine sacrifices to tie the program’s single-season mark shared by Alaina Giles (2005) and Celeste Chinappi (2004).
After sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) walked to load the bases, a wild pitch scored Powell and moved up the runners. Dreitlein plated Klotz with the winning run on a ground out.
Powell left a pair of runners on base in the seventh inning to nail down the victory, scattering nine hits and six walks in her complete-game performance. She allowed three earned runs and struck out four.
Klotz went 2-for-4 with one run, one RBI and a stolen base for Rutgers-Camden.
Senior catcher/right fielder Pico Rodriguez (West New York, NJ/Memorial) went 3-for-3 with one RBI for Rutgers-Newark. Senior second baseman Shauna Gallagher (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) and senior shortstop Charlotte Labate (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) each had two hits for the Scarlet Raiders.
Sophomore Elena Morge (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) tossed an eight-hitter with six walks in taking the loss. She allowed four earned runs and struck out three.
Game Two
In the second game, Rutgers-Camden grabbed an 8-0 lead after three innings and Powell tossed a four-hit shutout. She walked one and struck out four in finishing her season with a 7-16 record.
The Raptors had two hits, including a single by Keenan and a triple by sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) in a two-run first inning. Dreitlein added a squeeze bunt in the frame. Rutgers-Camden scored four more runs in the second inning, aided by two Newark errors. Skroski capped the scoring with an RBI double, then added an RBI single in the Raptors’ two-run third inning.
Rutgers-Camden closed its scoring in the fifth with four runs, including a two-run double by Dreitlein in her final Raptor at bat. She ended up scoring the final run of her career ahead of a two-run home run to left field by D’Anduono.
Keenan went 3-for-4 with three runs to pace the Raptor attack, while D’Anduono had a triple and a home run for two RBIs. Skroski added a pair of hits and Dreitlein went 1-for-2 with one run and three RBIs in her final game. She finished as the all-time program leader in HBP (14) and double plays (25), second in putouts (1,125), third in total bases (233) and runs (95), fourth in games (175), at bats (511), home runs (13), RBIs (95), tied for fourth in walks (54), fifth in hits (153) and sacrifices (15) and tied for fifth in doubles (31) and triples (5).
Rutgers-Camden, Hunter
split non-conference twinbill
BRONX, NY (April 24, 2008) – The Hunter College softball team scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning of the nightcap to edge Rutgers University-Camden, 7-6, and earn a split in the non-conference doubleheader here Thursday afternoon.
The Lady Raptors won the opener, 4-2, behind the five-hit pitching of junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown).
The split leaves Rutgers-Camden with a 6-28-1 record, while Hunter is 18-18.
Game One
The Lady Raptors used a four-run sixth inning to break a scoreless deadlock on their way to the first-game win. Rutgers-Camden opened the inning with consecutive singles by sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling). With the bases loaded, senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) plated Klotz and reached base on an infield error.
Sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) followed with a sacrifice fly, making it a 2-0 game.
Junior left fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross) re-loaded the bases with a bunt single and freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) singled home the third run. The final run scored on an infield error.
Hunter scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the frame, but Powell finished with a five-hitter, allowing no walks and only the two
unearned runs. She struck out five in raising her record to 5-15.
Skroski and McDonald each had two hits for the Raptors. Dreitlein’s sixth-inning RBI was the 89th of her career, breaking a tie with Mo Baney (2004-07) and moving her into fourth place by herself on the program’s all-time list.
Game Two
With the teams tied at 6-6 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Hawks placed runners at first and second on a leadoff double by sophomore center fielder Stephanie Alves (Queens, NY/Francis Lewis) and a walk. Alves scored the winning run from second on an error.
The two teams were knotted at 3-3 when the Lady Raptors scored three times in the fourth inning, with two runs coming home on a single by Dreitlein. Hunter, however, tied the game with a five-run third inning, aided by an RBI double from freshman shortstop Megan McKenna (Rockaway, NY/Midwood), and a pair of runs that scored on a passed ball and a wild pitch.
Powell was the tough-luck losing pitcher in the nightcap, scattering 10 hits and two walks, while striking out six. Only three of her seven runs were earned.
Skroski paced the Raptors’ nine-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Klotz and D’Anduono each went 2-for-4 with one run scored. D’Anduono also added one RBI on a first-inning single.
Rutgers-Camden closes its season when it hosts Rutgers-Newark Saturday at 1 p.m. in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader. The Scarlet Raptors will honor Dreitlein in a Senior Day celebration.
Rowan sweeps Rutgers-Camden
in NJAC softball doubleheader
GLASSBORO (April 22, 2008) – Rowan University junior Jackie Sasko (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) hurled a four-hitter in the opening game and a pair of pitchers combined for a five-inning three-hitter in the nightcap as the Profs swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader from Rutgers University-Camden, 4-2 and 10-1, here Tuesday afternoon.
Rowan improves to 30-5-1 overall and 13-3 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden falls to 5-27-1 overall and 1-15 in the conference.
Game One
In the opening game, Sasko allowed four singles, four walks and two unearned runs, while striking out seven to raise her record to 18-2.
After Rutgers-Camden tied the game with two unearned runs in the top of the third, Rowan scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame against Lady Raptor junior pitcher Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown). The tie-breaking run was singled home by sophomore first baseman Jenna DiDonato (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert), who scored an insurance run on a triple by freshman left fielder Casey Roselle (Sparta, NJ/Sparta).
For the Profs, sophomore right fielder Heidi Smith (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Senior third baseman Kristin Wallace (Glassboro, NJ/Washington Township) also went 2-for-4.
Rutgers-Camden sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) collected a pair of singles and added two sacrifices. Freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) went 1-for-3 with one run scored.
Game Two
The Profs and Raptors matched first-inning runs in the nightcap, with Wallace poking an RBI single for Rowan and Klotz sparking Rutgers-Camden’s tying run with a bunt single. She was sacrificed to second by Keenan, stole third and scored an unearned run on an error.
The game sailed along in a pitchers’ duel between Powell and Rowan freshman Brianna Seckinger (Churchville, PA/Council Rock South) until the fourth inning, when the Profs scored four times. The key hit was a two-run pinch-hit double by junior Melanie Sura (Linden, NJ/Linden), which broke the 1-1 tie. Rowan capped the frame with another two-run double by Roselle.
Roselle, who went 2-for-2 with one run and five RBIs, collected a three-run triple in the Profs’ five-run fifth inning. That frame helped Rowan end the game early on the eight-run mercy rule.
Seckinger (6-0) picked up the win with four innings of two-hit ball, allowing only one unearned run. She struck out two. Powell (4-15) took her second loss of the day, working 4-1/3 innings and allowing six hits, seven runs (six earned) and three walks. She struck out one.
Klotz went 1-for-3 in the second game for Rutgers-Camden, giving her a 3-for-5 performance in the doubleheader. Keenan, meanwhile, went 1-for-1 to finish the day 2-for-4. The Raptors’ other hit in the second game was a single by freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury).
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Thursday with a 4 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at Hunter College.
Vitale, Schraer hurl Paterson
to NJAC sweep of Rutgers-Camden
CAMDEN (April 19, 2008) – Freshman Jenna Vitale (Kenilworth, NJ/Brearley) and senior Diana Schraer (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) each tossed four-hitters to lead the William Paterson University softball team to a 5-0 and 4-2 sweep over Rutgers University-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Rutgers-Camden Community Park.
The Pioneers stretched their winning streak to four games, raising their record to 21-13 overall and 7-7 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden, which has lost four straight games, falls to 5-25-1 overall and 1-13 in the NJAC.
Game One
In the opening game, Vitale hurled her third shutout of the season as she shut down the Raptors on three singles and a double. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out three in raising her record to 5-4.
Freshman catcher Nicole Jimmerson (North Bergen, NJ/High Tech) plated the only run Vitale needed with a third-inning sacrifice fly.
The Pioneers added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run single from freshman designated player Kelly Lauter (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury).
Vitale singled home Lauter in the seventh inning for the final Paterson run.
Lauter went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs for the Pioneers, while Vitale was 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Rutgers-Camden junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was the losing pitcher, hurling a complete game. She allowed seven hits and five runs (three earned), while walking five and striking out three.
A seventh-inning double by sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) was the Raptors’ lone extra-base hit. A first-inning single by senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) gave her 226 career total bases, moving her into sole possession of third place on the career list. She had been tied with Mo Baney (2004-07) and Becky Johnson (2002-05) with 225 total bases.
Game Two
With the score tied, 2-2, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Jimmerson singled home Lauter with the tie-breaking run for the Pioneers. Junior first baseman Ana Abourashed (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) added an RBI double for an insurance run, helping Schraer raise her record to 11-5. Schraer allowed four hits and two unearned runs. She struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.
Paterson scored twice in the first inning off losing pitcher Powell (4-13), with Jimmerson ripping a two-run triple.
Rutgers-Camden scored unearned runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) had an RBI single in the fourth and freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) singled home a run in the sixth. Freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) scored both runs.
Powell allowed seven hits, one walk and four earned runs in her six-inning complete game. She struck out four. Three of the seven hits were by Jimmerson.
Schraer allowed only one extra-base hit – a double by freshman designated player Krista White (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) in the fifth inning.
Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC action Tuesday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Rowan University.
Richard Stockton sweeps
Rutgers-Camden softball team
POMONA (April 15, 2008) – Junior third baseman Melissa Baumgartner (Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) singled home the winning run to cap a two-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning of the first game, sparking the Richard Stockton College softball team to a 3-2, 4-1 sweep over Rutgers University-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Tuesday.
The Ospreys improved to 21-9 overall and 5-7 in the NJAC, snapping their eight-game losing streak against Rutgers-Camden. The last time Stockton beat Rutgers-Camden before Tuesday came in a doubleheader sweep in 2003.
The two defeats drop the Lady Raptors to 5-23-1 overall and 1-11 in the NJAC. They have lost their last 11 NJAC games since winning their conference opener.
Game One
In the opening game, Rutgers-Camden took a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by junior pitcher Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown), after the Raptors started the inning with a runner at second under international tie-breaker rules. Stockton, however, countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to pull out the victory.
Stockton freshman first baseman Danielle Accardi (East Brunswick, NJ/Mount St. Mary) singled home the game-tying run and, with one out and the bases loaded, Baumgartner singled home the winning tally.
The eighth-inning runs were the first runs since the teams traded tallies in the opening inning.
Powell took the loss for Rutgers-Camden, working 7-1/3 innings and allowing seven hits, two earned runs and six walks. She struck out three.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Corica (Iselin, NJ/JFK) hurled a five-hitter with four strikeouts and no earned runs in picking up the win.
Powell went 2-for-2 for the Raptors, while junior shortstop Samantha Horner (Newfield, NJ/Buena) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for the Ospreys.
Game Two
In the second game, Accardi took the mound for Stockton and hurled a two-hitter, allowing one earned run and two walks, while striking out one to raise her record to 10-3. Powell (4-11) took the loss in the nightcap as well, working 4-1/3 innings and allowing five hits, four earned runs and three walks. She struck out five.
Horner continued her hot hitting for Stockton, going 2-for-4 in the nightcap with two runs scored. She had two doubles, a triple and three stolen bases on the day, while going a combined 5-for-8.
Sophomore designated player Kelly Dodd (Linwood, NJ/Mainland) went 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI for the Ospreys, who took the lead for good in the second inning on an RBI double by junior center fielder Lindsay Connell (Rahway, NJ/Rahway). Stockton added a run in the third before the Raptors cut the gap to 2-1 with a fourth-inning run. Sophomore Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling), who split time between third base and the mound, hit a one-out triple and scored on a ground out by senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston). That RBI was the 88th of Dreitlein’s career, tying Mo Baney (2004-07) for fourth on the program’s all-time list. Dreitlein’s first-game single gave her 225 total bases for her career, tying her for third all-time with Baney and Becky Johnson (2002-05).
The Ospreys added two insurance runs in the fifth inning on RBI singles by Dodd and sophomore left fielder Jessica Sneddon (Nutley, NJ/Nutley).
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Saturday when it hosts William Paterson University in a 1 p.m. NJAC doubleheader.
Powell, Skroski hurl
Rutgers-Camden past Wesley
CAMDEN (April 13, 2008) – Junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) hurled a four-hit shutout in the opening game and sophomore Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) allowed only five hits and one earned run in five innings of the nightcap as Rutgers University-Camden swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from Wesley College, 6-0 and 8-3, Sunday afternoon at Rutgers-Camden Community Park.
The sweep lifts the Lady Raptors to 5-21-1, snapping a skid which saw Rutgers-Camden post a 0-10-1 mark in its previous 11 games.
Wesley College ends its regular season with a 6-21 record. The Wolverines head into the Capital Athletic Conference playoffs as the No. 5 seed Tuesday, playing at No. 4 Hood.
Game One
Powell hurled no-hit ball for 3-1/3 innings and allowed only four singles in the game as she posted her second shutout of the season. She walked one batter and struck out five in raising her record to 4-9.
Rutgers-Camden scored all the runs it needed with a four-run first inning, sparked by three hits and one error. Freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) started the rally with a one-out single and advanced to second on a single by Skroski. After a passed ball advanced both runners, senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) singled home Keenan with the only run Powell needed.
Wesley ended Powell’s bid for her second no-hitter of the season when senior center fielder Kelly Caton (Easthampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) singled up the middle with one out in the fourth inning. The Wolverines also received a pair of singles by senior shortstop Jessica Morgan (Newark, DE/St. Mark’s) in the game, while sophomore left fielder Michele Mules (York, PA/Susquehannock) added the other hit.
Rutgers-Camden tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth inning on RBI singles by sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and Skroski.
Skroski and Dreitlein each went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI for the Raptors.
Wesley senior Marie Elzey (Cambridge, MD/Cambridge-South Dorchester) took the loss, scattering nine hits and allowing six runs (five earned) in her complete game. Elzey (1-9) didn’t walk a batter and struck out four.
Game Two
In the second game, Rutgers-Camden collected five hits in a five-run first inning, including a two-run ground rule double by freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury). Sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) added an RBI double in the frame, while junior right fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross) had a run-scoring single.
Wesley battled back with a run in the second on an RBI single by freshman second baseman Sue Goines (Wilmington, DE/Del Castle) and a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, making it a 5-3 game. Rutgers-Camden, however, answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth on RBI singles from Skroski and Dreitlein, and then plated its final run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice by Klotz.
Keenan, Skroski and Bohn each had two hits in the game, with Skroski and Bohn collecting one RBI and scoring two runs apiece. Klotz, who had a single in each game, stretched her hitting streak to eight games, the longest on the team this season.
Goines went 2-for-3 and junior pitcher Megan Street (Bridgeville, DE/Epworth Christian) each had two hits for Wesley. On the mound, Street (2-9) allowed 11 hits, six walks and eight earned runs in six innings. She struck out one.
Skroski allowed five hits, two walks and three runs (one earned) in five innings for her first win of the season. Skroski (1-8) struck out four. Powell hurled two-hit shutout ball over the final two innings.
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Tuesday with a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader at Richard Stockton College, beginning at 3 p.m.
Unlucky seventh sinks
Rutgers-Camden at Kean
UNION (April 12, 2008) – The seventh inning was anything but a lucky frame for the Rutgers University-Camden softball team in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Saturday.
Kean University scored an unearned run in the seventh to beat the Lady Raptors, 1-0, in the opening game and then exploded for four runs in the final inning to stun Rutgers-Camden, 6-4, in the nightcap.
The Cougars improved to 20-6 overall and 7-3 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden fell to 3-21-1 overall and 1-9 in the conference. The Raptors are 0-10-1 in their last 11 games.
Game One
A pitchers’ duel between Rutgers-Camden junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Kean freshman Courtney Smyth (Abington, PA/Abington) ended in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Cougars scored an unearned run for the only tally of the game.
Junior second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, NJ/Jonathan Dayton) drew a leadoff walk in the seventh for the Cougars and sophomore center fielder Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) reached when her sacrifice bunt was misplayed for an error. Senior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, NJ/Edison) followed with a sacrifice and the Cougars won the game on a sacrifice fly to right field by senior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, NJ/Holy Cross).
Powell worked 6-2/3 innings, allowing only three hits, one walk and the one unearned run. She struck out two.
Winning pitcher Smyth (9-2) hurled a six-hit shutout with no walks and four strikeouts. Two of the hits were singles by junior right fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross).
Game Two
Trailing, 4-2, in the top of the seventh while batting as the visiting team, the Cougars strung together a four-run rally, capped by a two-run home run from Lanza. The winning rally started with a walk to sophomore designated player Allison Thibault (Garfield, NJ/Garfield). Senior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) followed with an RBI double and scored the tying run all the way from second when junior left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) legged out a bunt single. With two outs, Lanza hit the tie-breaking home run, her second round-tripper of the game.
The Lady Raptors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning following an infield single by sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley). She was sacrificed to second by freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and scored on an error following a single by senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston). Dreitlein, who advanced on the error, scored on a single by sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township).
Kean got one back in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Lanza, but the Raptors countered with an unearned run in the fifth. Rutgers-Camden coupled singles by Bohn and Klotz with a pair of infield errors to regain its two-run lead.
The teams traded runs in the sixth inning, with Kean scoring on a double by Lizzi and an RBI single by senior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, NJ/North Hunterdon). Rutgers-Camden bounced back in the bottom of the frame when sophomore pitcher Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) hit a leadoff home run.
Powell (3-9) was tagged with the loss in relief in the second game. She worked 1-2/3 innings and allowed four hits, four earned runs and two walks.
Senior Kristen Hennings (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) collected the win, hurling a six-hitter and allowing four runs (three earned). Hennings (4-3) struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Sunday when it entertains Wesley College at 1 p.m. in a non-conference makeup doubleheader.
Rutgers-Camden loses, ties
in softball twinbill at Arcadia
GLENSIDE, Penn. (April 10, 2008) – Senior catcher Amanda Celentano (Cherry Hill, NJ/Burlington Township) went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs and four RBIs as Arcadia University defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 9-7, in the opener of a non-conference softball doubleheader here Thursday. In the nightcap, the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in a game stopped after seven innings due to darkness.
The second-game tie snapped the Lady Raptors’ eight-game losing streak and left Rutgers-Camden with a 3-19-1 record. The first-game loss clinched the Raptors’ first losing season since they were 7-10 in 1999.
Arcadia stands at 10-11-1, with the tie snapping the Scarlet Knights’ four-game winning streak.
In the first game, the Raptors grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning on three hits, an error and an RBI walk to freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury). McDonald, who had two walks on the day, now has 17 on the season. She entered the week ranked 22nd nationally in Division III with 0.74 walks per game.
After the teams traded runs in the fourth inning, Arcadia took the lead with a five-run fifth, capped by a two-run single from senior shortstop Kim Servello (Randolph, NJ/Randolph).
Rutgers-Camden bounced back with a four-run sixth to grab a 7-6 lead. McDonald opened the frame with a walk, and sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) added a two-run single in the inning. The Raptors also received a RBI single from sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township).
The Scarlet Knights bounced back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Celentano singled home the go-ahead run and Servello’s bases-loaded walk plated an insurance run.
D’Anduono and junior left fielder Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) each had two hits for the Lady Raptors.
In the nightcap, Arcadia scored single runs in the second and third innings before the Raptors tied the contest with a two-run fifth. D’Anduono singled and eventually scored on a double by junior right fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross). Bohn scored on a double by McDonald.
Rutgers-Camden grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning on a single by Petrutz and another RBI double by McDonald. Arcadia tied the game in the bottom of the frame on an unearned run following a leadoff strikeout that reached on a passed ball.
Skroski worked all seven innings on the mound for Rutgers-Camden, allowing five hits and three runs, two earned. She walked two and struck out three.
McDonald went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs for the Lady Raptors.
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Saturday when it plays a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader at Kean University, beginning at 1 p.m.
Sietsma hurls TCNJ softball team
to sweep over Rutgers-Camden
CAMDEN (April 8, 2008) – Freshman pitcher Alex Sietsma (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) earned a save in the opening game and collected a two-hit shutout in the nightcap to power The College of New Jersey softball team to a sweep over Rutgers University-Camden, 16-5 and 4-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Rutgers-Camden Community Park.
The Lions improve to 18-10 overall and 6-2 in the NJAC, running their winning streak to seven games. The sweep over Rutgers-Camden gave TCNJ sweeps of three NJAC doubleheaders in three days.
Rutgers-Camden, which has lost seven straight games, falls to 3-18 overall and 1-7 in the NJAC.
Game One
In a game tighter than the final score, Sietsma entered the contest with the tying run on deck and the Lions holding an 8-4 lead in the sixth inning. After she wriggled out of the jam with only a RBI ground out, TCNJ exploded for eight runs on five hits, two walks and two errors in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. The big hit in the inning was a two-run triple by junior catcher Kelly Armstrong (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial), who went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs in the game.
Sophomore shortstop Ellen Seavers (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) and senior first baseman Christina Lizzi (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) scored three runs apiece for the Lions, while freshman left fielder Jamie Mastrioanni (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) added two hits. Freshman right fielder Colleen Cawley (Riverton, NJ/Holy Cross) scored two runs and collected two RBIs for TCNJ.
Freshman Jamie Moir (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) picked up the victory with four innings of six-hit ball in relief. Moir, 3-3, allowed three runs (two earned) and one walk, while striking out four. Sietsma retired all five batters she faced to nail down her first save.
For Rutgers-Camden, sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and junior left fielder Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) each had two hits.
Game Two
Sietsma was just getting warmed up in the opener, as she first a two-hit shutout with one strikeout in the nightcap. Both of the hits she allowed were infield singles, a bunt single by Klotz to lead off the game and a single to the shortstop hole by Petrutz to open the sixth inning. Sietsma improved her record to 6-2.
TCNJ scored all the runs it needed with a two-run second inning, sparked by a leadoff home run from Lizzi. One out later, Sietsma singled and scored on a triple by junior designated player Camille Heller (Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade).
The Lions added two more runs in the fifth inning, sparked by a leadoff double from Seavers.
Lady Raptor sophomore Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) was the tough-luck losing pitcher, hurling a five-hitter, as her record fell to 0-8. She walked six, struck out four and allowed four earned runs.
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Thursday with a non-conference doubleheader at Arcadia University, beginning at 3:30 p.m. TCNJ hosts Montclair State University Saturday in a NJAC doubleheader at noon.
No. 9 Ramapo softball team
sweeps Rutgers-Camden
MAHWAH (April 6, 2008) – The New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule threw a potent 1-2 punch at the Rutgers University-Camden softball team over the weekend as the Scarlet Raptors were forced to play back-to-back doubleheaders against the two top teams in the conference and two of the top programs in the nation.
A day after being swept at home by No. 16-ranked Montclair State University, the Raptors dropped a pair of five-inning games at No. 9 Ramapo College, 12-4 and 10-1, in a makeup doubleheader here Sunday.
Ramapo improves to 18-2 overall and 4-0 in the NJAC, hiking its winning streak to seven games. Rutgers-Camden falls to 3-16 and 1-5 as its losing streak extends to five games.
Game One
The Roadrunners scored all the runs they needed with a five-run first inning, aided by five walks and a three-run home run by freshman right fielder Brittney McKeon (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North). McKeon went 2-for-2 with two runs and three RBIs in the game to lead the Roadrunners’ eight-hit attack.
Ramapo added three runs in the second inning, two on a home run by junior first baseman Marilee Farmer (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East).
Rutgers-Camden had two hits apiece from freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NH/Sterling). Senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) added one hit, one run and one RBI.
The Raptors scored all four of their runs in the top of the fifth inning, two on a single by Skroski.
Game Two
In the nightcap, Ramapo scored three times in the first inning and added seven more in the second on its way to the win. The big blow in the second inning was a grand slam by junior catcher Amanda Sansevere (West Keansburg, NJ/Raritan).
Sansevere went 2-for-3 with one run and four RBIs to lead the Roadrunners’ nine-hit attack.
Rutgers-Camden collected four hits in the game, with Skroski pacing the offense by going 2-for-2.
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Tuesday when they host The College of New Jersey in a 3 p.m. NJAC doubleheader.
No. 16 Montclair State sweeps
Rutgers-Camden in softball
CAMDEN (April 5, 2008) – The Montclair State University softball team proved why it is one of the top programs in the country.
The Red Hawks, ranked No. 16 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll, used a no-hitter from senior pitcher Carolyn McCrea (Wharton, NJ/Jefferson Township) to post a 9-0 five-inning victory over Rutgers-Camden in the opening game of a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Saturday.
Montclair State added a 7-0 victory in the nightcap as the Red Hawks extended their winning streak to 13 games and raised their record to 20-2 overall and 6-0 in the NJAC.
Rutgers-Camden falls to 3-14 overall and 1-3 in NJAC play.
Game One
In the opener, McCrea (10-2) struck out six and walked one as she tossed the first no-hitter against the Scarlet Raptors since Rowan’s Jamie Elias accomplished the feat in a NJAC playoff game April 29, 1999. It was the sixth no-hitter against Rutgers-Camden in program history and the third time it was done by a Montclair State pitcher.
McCrea had a perfect game going until she hit Raptor senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) with two outs in the fourth inning. The walk came to freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) with two outs in the fifth.
Montclair State scored all the runs McCrea needed with a five-run second inning, which featured four walks and two hits. A fielder’s choice by freshman left fielder Leslie Gonzalez (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) plated the first run. Senior third baseman Jackie Ferranti (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) singled home one run in the inning and senior center fielder Maureen Shockley (Magnolia, NJ/Triton) forced home a run with a walk. Junior shortstop Jennifer Jimenez (Linden, NJ/Linden) capped the frame with a two-run single.
The Red Hawks added four runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run triple from Ferranti, on their way to the win. Ferranti went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, while Jimenez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Game Two
Montclair State junior Kelly Karp (Edison, NJ/Edison) and sophomore Elia Persico (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) combined on a two-hit shutout in the nightcap. Karp (8-0) allowed both hits in six innings, walking one and striking out six. Persico retired the side in order in the seventh inning.
The lone Raptor hits were singles by Raptor junior outfielders Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) and Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross).
Montclair State scored all the runs it needed in a three-run first inning. The Red Hawks finished with seven hits on the day, two by freshman catcher Kacie Neurouter (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley).
After losing to the 16th-ranked Red Hawks, the Scarlet Raptors have to travel to Ramapo College for a 1 p.m. makeup doubleheader Sunday. The Roadrunners are ranked No. 9 in the country.
Montclair State hosts Ramapo Tuesday at 3 p.m. in a battle of national powers.
Time change for Saturday's twinbill
CAMDEN (April 4, 2008) – The start time of Rutgers-Camden's scheduled doubleheader for Saturday, April 5, has been moved from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. due to the weather forecast of rain into the morning hours. The Lady Raptors will be playing Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader.
Rutgers-Camden softball
schedule changes
CAMDEN (April 2, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team has rescheduled a pair of doubleheaders for the next two Sundays.
Rutgers-Camden’s New Jersey Athletic Conference twinbill at Ramapo College, which was rained out on Tuesday, will be played Sunday, April 6, in Mahwah, beginning at 1 p.m.
The Lady Raptors also agreed to postpone Thursday’s scheduled home doubleheader when injuries took their toll on a small Wesley College roster. Wesley will play at Rutgers-Camden in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Sunday, April 13.
With the two postponements this week, the Raptors will be idle until Saturday when they host Montclair State University in a 1 p.m. NJAC doubleheader.
Rutgers-Camden, NJCU split
NJAC softball doubleheader
CAMDEN (March 29, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team snapped its seven-game losing streak as it defeated New Jersey City University, 10-2, in a five-inning game in the opener of a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Saturday, but the Gothic Knights bounced back to record a 6-5 victory in the nightcap for the 300th victory in program history.
Rutgers-Camden stands at 3-12 overall, while New Jersey City is 8-8. Both teams are 1-1 in NJAC play.
Game One
The Gothic Knights took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when freshman second baseman Danielle Delfino (Jersey City, NJ/County Prep) singled, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out by sophomore pitcher Lacey Skowronski (Bayonne, NJ/Holy Family Academy).
Rutgers-Camden bounced back with three in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good. The Raptors received a RBI single from sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) and bases-loaded walks to junior right fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross) and freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury).
The Raptors put the game away in the second inning, powered by back-to-back home runs from senior shortstop Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston), a two-run shot, and Skroski.
For the game, Dreitlein went 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs, while Skroski was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), freshman second baseman Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and sophomore first baseman Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) each added two hits.
Junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) picked up the win with a six-hitter, allowing two earned runs and four walks. Powell (3-6) struck out six. Two of the hits she allowed were by Delfino, including a solo home run in the third inning.
Skowronski (4-2) took the loss, working 2/3 of an inning and allowing four hits, two walks and three earned runs.
Game Two
In the second game, NJCU recorded the 300th win in the history of a program that started in 1981, and snapped its 11-game losing streak to Rutgers-Camden in the process. The win was the first for the Gothic Knights over the Raptors since a 5-3 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader April 28, 2001.
The Gothic Knights, batting as the home team, exploded for five runs in the bottom of the second inning to wipe out a 1-0 deficit. The frame was sparked by a leadoff triple from sophomore left fielder Krystina Kingston (Mountainside, NJ/Governor Livingston), who scored the tying run on a double by sophomore first baseman Christina Prospero (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus). A RBI single by Delfino put the Gothic Knights ahead to stay.
After building a 6-1 lead, NJCU weathered a Rutgers-Camden comeback as the Lady Raptors scored four unearned runs in the sixth inning to cut the gap to 6-5. Bohn and Klotz each had two-run doubles in the frame off winning pitcher Andrea Delucrezia (Belleville, NJ/St. Mary’s-Rutherford). Delucrezia, who scattered 10 hits in her complete-game performance, allowed two walks and five runs, with only one run being earned. Delucrezia (3-6) struck out one, and shut down the heart of the Raptor order in the seventh inning, working around a two-out error.
Delucrezia helped her own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
For the Raptors, Powell, D’Anduono, Klotz and Bohn each had two hits, with Bohn going 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs. Klotz had three RBIs.
Both teams return to NJAC doubleheaders Tuesday. The Gothic Knights host Kean University at 3 p.m. The Lady Raptors travel to Ramapo College for a 3:30 p.m. twinbill with the Roadrunners, who are ranked No. 8 nationally in the latest NFCA Division III poll.
Neumann softball team
sweeps Rutgers-Camden
ASTON, Penn. (March 26, 2008) – The Neumann College softball team exploded for six runs in the bottom of the first inning of the opening game and went on to sweep Rutgers University-Camden, 17-3 and 9-1, in a non-conference doubleheader here Wednesday. The first game lasted five innings, while the nightcap went six innings.
Neumann improved to 9-5 with its fourth straight win, while Rutgers-Camden fell to 2-11 with its seventh straight loss.
In the first game, the Lady Raptors grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run triple by sophomore designated player Amanda D’Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township), but the Knights bounced back for six runs in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore first baseman Jen Goslin (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) ripped a three-run home run to give Neumann the lead for good. Goslin went 3-for-3 in the game with a home run, a double and four RBIs.
Rutgers-Camden scored its final run in the second inning on a RBI single by sophomore shortstop Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley). Klotz went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI in the game.
Neumann senior left fielder Christina Walsh (Downingtown, PA/Bishop Shanahan) added a three-run home run in the third inning to help back the five-hit pitching of freshman Julia Keenan (Philadelphia, PA/St. Huberts). Keenan allowed three earned runs and four walks, while striking out one.
In the nightcap, junior Angela Sebasto (Trenton, NJ/McCorristin) collected the victory, allowing only one run and striking out seven while pitching a four-hitter. She was backed by a two-run home run from junior catcher Caitlin Hanrahan (Springfield, PA/Springfield).
Junior right fielder Valeri Bohn (Delran, NJ/Holy Cross) went 1-for-1 with one RBI, doubling home the Raptors’ lone run in the second inning.
The Lady Raptors return to action March 29 when they host New Jersey City University at 1 p.m. in their first New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader of the season.
Bridgewater State, Springfield topple
Rutgers-Camden softball team
KISSIMMEE, Florida (March 18, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team suffered a pair of losses on its final day of play at the Rebel Spring Games as it fell to Bridgewater State College, 13-3, and then dropped an 8-7 decision to Springfield College.
Rutgers-Camden ended its trip with a 1-7 record to fall to 2-9 overall. Both Bridgewater State and Springfield, a pair of Massachusetts schools, improved to 2-3.
Bridgewater collected 14 hits and blew open a 6-3 game with six runs in the top of the seventh inning, highlighted by a grand slam from senior second baseman Nicole Hebert (Taunton, MA/Taunton). Hebert went 2-for-4 on the day with her grand slam and a two-run double in the first inning.
The Bears collected three hits apiece from senior first baseman Danielle Trull-Donahue (Stoughton, MA/Stoughton) and freshman right fielder Tracey Sanko (Windsor, CT/Windsor). Each player went 3-for-4, with Sanko scoring four runs and Trull-Donahue collecting three runs and one RBI.
Sophomore designated player Meghan Noyes (Stoughton, MA/Stoughton) added a 2-for-4 game with one run and three RBIs, including a two-run single in the seventh inning.
Rutgers-Camden had eight hits in the game. Freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) went 2-for-2, while senior first baseman Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Bridgewater State broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the fourth inning on a run-scoring single by Noyes.
Springfield College handed the Lady Raptors a defeat in the bottom of the seventh inning for the second straight day. On Monday, the Pride scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to stun the Raptors, 6-5. In Tuesday’s game, Rutgers-Camden roared back to tie the game in the top of the seventh on a three-run home run by sophomore first baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling).
Springfield loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on a pair of hits and an unsuccessful fielder’s choice play. Following a pair of force outs at the plate, junior left fielder Amanda Lyons (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) blooped an opposite-field, game-winning RBI single down the left field line.
Lyons and senior second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, MA/Cardinal Spellman) each had three hits for Springfield College, while sophomore right fielder Bryn Worrilow (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Skroski went 4-for-4 for the Raptors with three runs scored and three RBIs. Junior center fielder Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) went 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while Dreitlein was 2-for-4 with a triple and one run scored.
The Lady Raptors return to action March 26 with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Neumann College in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Rutgers-Camden loses two
at Rebel Spring Games
KISSIMMEE, Florida (March 17, 2008) – Massachusetts softball teams weren’t kind to Rutgers University-Camden Monday in Florida.
The Lady Raptors suffered a pair of painful losses at the Rebel Spring Games as they fell to Springfield College and Smith College.
In its first game of the day, Rutgers-Camden watched Springfield score three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun the Lady Raptors, 6-5. The Raptors helped beat themselves in the nightcap as Smith scored five unearned runs on four errors in the third inning en route to a 9-1 victory. The game was stopped after five innings by the eight-run mercy rule.
The double loss drops Rutgers-Camden to 2-7 overall, including 1-5 on its spring trip to Florida.
Sophomore right fielder Bryn Worrilow (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) was the star for Springfield, drilling a two-out, two-run double to left field to tie the game in the seventh. Moments later, following a pair of walks, she scored the winning run on a single to right field by freshman first baseman Jessica Hillman (Seymour, CT/Seymour).
Springfield’s big inning started with a one-out walk to junior third baseman Shanda Kogut (Preston, CT/Norwich Free Academy). After Kogut stole second, senior second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, MA/Cardinal Spellman) followed with another walk. One out later, Worrilow delivered her clutch hit.
Rutgers-Camden junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) took the loss in relief. She had retired the first seven batters she faced before entering the one-out walk in the seventh to Kogut.
The Lady Raptors appeared to have the game well in hand with a 5-0 lead after two innings. Rutgers-Camden scored three times in the first on three walks, RBI singles by sophomore starting pitcher Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) and junior center fielder Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling), and a bases-loaded hit batsman for sophomore designated player Jeanna Drechsler (West Berlin, NJ/Timber Creek).
Rutgers-Camden added two runs in the second on bases-loaded walks to freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) and Petrutz before Springfield mounted its comeback. The Pride scored one run in the third on a RBI single by junior center fielder Angela Atkins (East Haddam, CT/Hale-Ray). They added a pair of unearned runs with two outs in the fourth inning on a two-run single from Kogut.
The second game produced another heartbreak as four errors led to five unearned runs in the third inning off of Powell (2-5). Rutgers-Camden made another error in the Pioneers’ four-run fifth inning, leading to two more unearned runs. For the game, Powell allowed eight hits in five innings, but only two of her nine runs were earned. She struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.
Senior shortstop Kathryn Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) and junior left fielder Erin Quinn (Northbrook, IL/Glenbrook North) each went 2-for-3 for Smith. Schoenen scored two runs and drove home one, while Quinn scored once and had two RBIs.
Rutgers-Camden collected only three singles off of winning pitcher Dezarai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista). They all came in succession in the fourth inning, loading the bases and setting the stage for the Raptors’ lone run on a RBI fielder’s choice by Petrutz. One of those singles was by senior first baseman Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston), giving her an even 200 total bases for her career. She becomes the sixth player in program history to reach that plateau.
The Lady Raptors conclude their trip to the Rebel Spring Games Tuesday, with two more games against schools from Massachusetts. They face Bridgewater State College at 9 a.m. before another meeting with Springfield College at 1 p.m.
Raptors blanked twice
at Rebel Spring Games
KISSIMMEE, Florida (March 14, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden dropped to 1-4 on the season as the Lady Raptors were blanked in their first two games at the Rebel Spring Games here Friday.
Rutgers-Camden lost to nationally-ranked Coe College of Iowa, 2-0, in the opening game before falling to Denison University of Ohio, 10-0. Denison ended that game on the eight-run rule in the bottom of the sixth inning following a three-run walk-off home run by senior left fielder Ali Teopas (Sylvania, OH/Northview).
Coe, ranked No. 15 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll, improved to 10-5 with its fourth straight win. Denison won its sixth straight game to open the season at 6-0.
The opening game featured a pitchers’ duel between Raptor junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Coe junior Ellie Schultz (Clayton, IA/Clayton Ridge). Powell hurled a five-hitter and allowed only one earned run, but Schultz tossed a one-hit shutout, walking one and striking out three. The only hit was a leadoff double in the fifth inning by sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling).
Powell, who walked four and struck out three, had the powerful Kohawks blanked until the sixth inning, when junior designated player Sonja Schwenker (Burlington, IA/Burlington) and sophomore catcher Abby Wedemeier (Maynard, IA/West Gate) poked back-to-back singles with one out. Freshman Emily Burress (Des Moines, IA/Roosevelt) ran for Schwenker and came home on an infield error to break the scoreless tie.
Coe added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a two-out home run by junior right fielder Danielle Leavens (Charles City, IA/Charles City).
In the second game, Teopas went 2-for-4 with two runs and the three-run game-ending home run. Senior center fielder Mary Beth Krolikowski (Brunswick, OH/Holy Name) went 3-for-3 with a triple, two runs and three RBIs, while freshman first baseman Erica Evans (Worthington, OH/Thomas Worthington) added two hits, two runs and one RBI.
Senior Bri Scrofano (Longs, SC/McDowell) tossed a four-hit shutout and struck out eight batters to improve to 3-0. Powell took the loss, working 4-1/3 innings and allowing six hits, one walk and five runs (four earned).
The lone Lady Raptor with two hits was senior first baseman Kathleen Dreitlein (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston), who went 2-for-3 and added a stolen base.
Rutgers-Camden continues its trip Saturday with games against Saint Norbert College (Wisconsin) and Westminster College (Pennsylvania) at 9 and 11 a.m., respectively.
Powell hurls no-hitter
for Lady Raptors’ first win
SALISBURY, Maryland (March 8, 2008) – Junior pitcher Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) hurled a five-inning no-hitter as the Rutgers University-Camden softball team posted its first win of the season, defeating Cabrini College, 14-0, in a five-inning game Saturday in the Sea Gull Classic at Salisbury University.
The Lady Raptors were rained out of a scheduled game against Lynchburg College, leaving them with a 1-2 record.
It was the second career no-hitter for Powell, who struck out four and came within one walk of tossing a perfect game. She walked the freshman shortstop Cheyenne White (Waterbury, VT/Harwood) with two outs in the third inning.
Powell’s no-hitter is the 18th no-hitter in program history and the first since Marissa Van Cleef tossed a no-hitter in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep against Norwich University March 13, 2007. In the first game of that doubleheader, Powell threw a no-hitter for the only double no-hitter in program history.
The Lady Raptors put the game away early with a five-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling). Junior second baseman Brittany Sports (Barrington, NJ/Haddon Heights) added a run-scoring single in the frame, while the other two runs scored on ground outs.
The Lady Raptors tacked on an unearned run in the second when sophomore center fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) reached on an error, stole two bases and scored on a passed ball.
Rutgers-Camden exploded for six more runs in the third, highlighted by a three-run double by Skroski. Sports added an RBI double in the frame.
On the day the Raptors pounded out 14 hits, including a 3-for-4 game by freshman right fielder Brooke Keenan (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape), who scored two runs and added two RBIs. Freshman catcher Ashley McDonald (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) went 2-for-2 with two runs, while sophomore shortstop Jeanne Drechsler (West Berlin, NJ/Timber Creek) went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Skroski and Sports each went 2-for-4, with Skroski collecting five RBIs and Sports adding two. Klotz scored four runs at the top of the lineup, reaching base in all four of her plate appearances on a pair of errors, a single and a walk. She stole three bases.
Junior left fielder Cristina Petrutz (Somerdale, NJ/Sterling) went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Rutgers-Camden is idle until next weekend. They open play Friday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida. They face No. 15 Coe College (Iowa) at 3 p.m. and face Denison University (Ohio) at 5 p.m.
Lady Raptors lose first two games
at Atlantic vs. East Challenge
SALISBURY, Maryland (March 7, 2008) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team was shut out in a pair of games here Friday as the Lady Raptors opened their 2008 season at the Sea Gull Classic at Salisbury University.
Rutgers-Camden was one-hit in a 14-0 loss to Wilkes University and blanked, 10-0, by Virginia Wesleyan College. Both games went only five innings.
In the opener, Wilkes freshman hurler Lindsay Behrenshausen (Mt. Holly Springs, PA/Boiling Springs) tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out three. She didn’t walk a batter. The lone Raptor hit was a leadoff single in the second inning by sophomore third baseman Steph Skroski (Stratford, NJ/Sterling).
Lady Raptor junior Natalie Powell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) took the loss, allowing all 14 runs, 10 earned, on 13 hits. She struck out four and walked eight.
Junior third baseman Melisa Bracone (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East) was the leading hitter for the Lady Colonels, who improved to 5-2. Bracone had three hits, including a double and a two-run home run, and collected five RBIs. Junior first baseman Colleen Labor (Aston, PA/Sun Valley) added two hits and two RBIs.
In the loss to Virginia Wesleyan, the Marlins (5-2) received a single and a double for three RBIs from freshman first baseman Maree Opland (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis). Freshman pitcher Ally Eates (Portsmouth, VA/Alliance Christian) hurled a two-hit shutout, allowing only singles by sophomore left fielder Stephanie Klotz (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and sophomore shortstop Jeanna Drechsler (West Berlin, NJ/Timber Creek). Klotz also stole two bases.
The Lady Raptors are scheduled to play two games Saturday at the Sea Gull Classic, weather permitting, against Lynchburg College and Cabrini College.
Rutgers-Camden names Wolverton
head softball coach
Brian Wolverton spent the last two softball seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Rutgers University-Camden, beginning with the program’s run to the NCAA Division III national title in 2006.
Now the long-time head coach at Northern Burlington Regional High School will begin his collegiate head coaching career with the Lady Raptors.
Wolverton has been named as the head softball coach at Rutgers-Camden, stepping into the role vacated when long-time Head Coach Carl Taylor resigned in early August. Taylor compiled a 249-130-2 record in 12 seasons at Rutgers-Camden, including the only national championship in school history and a berth in the last four NCAA tournaments.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to take over such a well-established and successful program,” Wolverton said. “Coach Taylor has built a tradition of success that will be difficult to match. I have learned much from him over these past two years and look forward to the challenge of continuing what he has started.”
Wolverton is no stranger to coaching success. He was part of the Rutgers-Camden staff that earned honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as the Speedline/NFCA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year in 2006. On the scholastic level, he has been the head coach of the Northern Burlington girls’ varsity team since 1997, compiling a 193-71 record, including Burlington County League Liberty Division titles in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005. His team won both the South Jersey and state Group 2 titles in 2002, and captured the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional title in 2005. During both of those seasons he received honors as the area’s Softball Coach of the Year, being cited in 2002 by the Trentonian, the Burlington County Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer, and earning the honor from the Trenton Times in 2005.
Wolverton has placed over 30 players in college programs, including nine at Division I schools, and has coached numerous All-County, All-Area and All-South Jersey players. Eleven of his players were named to various All-State teams.
From 2005-07, Wolverton served as the head coach of the Burlington County team in the Carpenter Cup, the annual tournament sponsored by the Philadelphia Phillies. He coached the South Jersey Senior All-Star team in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Wolverton, who also has coached field hockey, football, basketball and track, teams with Mike Medrick to run the “Play Like a Champ” softball camp at Cherokee and Northern Burlington High Schools. The annual camp has been serving South Jersey youth softball players for over 20 years.
Wolverton was a Math Education major who graduated from Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey) in 1995. In addition to coaching at Northern Burlington, he is a teacher of Mathematics and Computer Programming at the school. He was named Northern Burlington’s Teacher of the Year in both 2002 and 2004, and has served as the Department Chairperson for the Business, Practical Arts and Mathematics Departments since 2000.
Now Wolverton joins the head coaching staff at Rutgers University-Camden.
“The idea of joining the athletic department at Rutgers-Camden is truly a dream come true,” he said. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that Rutgers Softball has continued success not only on the field, but in the classroom and community as well.”
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