WAYNE, N.J. (April 19, 2019) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team ripped 22 hits and rode a pair of complete games by sophomore Sarah Byrnes as they swept William Paterson University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Friday with a pair of 5-3 victories.
 
The Scarlet Raptors, who have now won four of their last six games, including three straight, improve to 10-18 overall and 5-9 in the NJAC.
 
William Paterson falls to 16-16 overall and 3-11 in the NJAC as its losing streak stretched to six games.
 
 The Scarlet Raptors are idle until Thursday, when they host NJAC rival Rowan University in a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader. Rowan is ranked No. 24 this week in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll.
   
The Scarlet Raptors staked Byrnes to an early 4-0 lead with one run in the first inning and three in the second off of William Paterson starter Andee Lupica (2-5), who allowed three hits, two walks, two hit batsmen and four earned runs in one-plus innings.
 
In the first inning, sophomore shortstop Nina Arroyo ripped a two-out double, Byrnes was hit by a pitch and junior first baseman Marissa Beebe singled up the middle to plate Arroyo.
 
In the second, the Raptors opened the frame with an infield single by freshman right fielder Karlie Kennedy. Freshman second baseman Jordan Howey and freshman left fielder Kimmy Musarra both walked to load the bases. Freshman pinch-hitter Alexis Schauer delivered a sacrifice fly and Arroyo plated a run with an infield single. Byrnes added a RBI single to right field to help her own cause.
 
On the mound, Byrnes scattered 11 hits and three walks, while striking out seven. She allowed three earned runs, with the final two tallies coming in the bottom of the seventh after the Scarlet Raptors tacked on a run in the top of the seventh. Beebe reached on an error and scored on a triple by Kennedy.
 
For the game, Kennedy and Arroyo both went 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
   
In the second game, Byrnes (7-11) allowed eight hits and one walk, while striking out three. All three of the runs she allowed were unearned, coming in the bottom of the fifth after Rutgers-Camden had built a 5-0 lead.
 
The Raptors once again scored early, notching a first-inning run sparked by a leadoff infield single by Musarra, a one-out single by Arroyo which resulted in Musarra being thrown out on the base paths, and singles by Byrnes and Beebe to load the bases. Junior third baseman Rachel Edwards walked to force in a run.
 
The Scarlet Raptors scored twice in the second, set up by singles from Kennedy and Howey. Musarra singled home one run and Arroyo singled home another.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Kennedy singled and was sacrificed into scoring position by Howey. Musarra had a bunt single and stole second. Senior designated player Kacie Pisani plated a run with a ground out and Arroyo singled home Musarra with the second run of the inning.
 
Musarra, pictured above, had a stellar 4-for-5 game with two runs and one RBI from the leadoff spot. Arroyo and Kennedy added three hits apiece.
 
For the doubleheader, Kennedy and Arroyo had five hits apiece, while Musarra added four.