EWING, N.J. (April 24, 2022) – A consistent schedule has been impossible to find for the Rutgers University-Camden softball team this season. After an eight-day delay, which saw a trio of doubleheaders postponed or cancelled, the Scarlet Raptors had the unenviable task of returning to action here Sunday for a makeup twinbill against one of the top-ranked teams in the country.
 
The College of New Jersey, tied for 24th in the latest NFCA Division III national poll, defeated the Scarlet Raptors in a pair of games shortened by the eight-run rule during a New Jersey Athletic Conference makeup doubleheader. The twinbill, which was postponed from April 19, saw the Lions win a six-inning game, 9-1, and then take a five-inning nightcap, 10-0.
 
TCNJ improved to 23-6 overall and 11-3 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden fell to 6-15 overall and 3-9 in conference play.
 
The Scarlet Raptors play another NJAC doubleheader Tuesday at 3 p.m. when they host Stockton University.
   
The Lions scored an unearned run in the second inning on one hit and two Raptor errors, added a run in the third on an RBI single by senior third baseman Lauren Conroy and exploded for four hits and four runs in the fourth inning. Conroy had a two-run single in that big inning.
 
TCNJ added its last three runs over the fifth and sixth innings, ending the game in the sixth by the eight-run rule.
 
Lions junior pitcher Ally Schlee, meanwhile, held the Scarlet Raptors in check throughout the game, allowing only a single unearned run in the sixth inning on two hits and an error. Junior second baseman Cate Petrucelli and senior designated player Alexis Schauer had singles in the frame. Following an error, freshman third baseman Luci Hutchinson reached on an RBI fielder's choice.
 
Sophomore Natalie Ampole (2-2) took the loss, working 5.1 innings and allowing nine runs (eight earned). She surrendered 12 hits and three walks, while striking out one.
 
Schlee (11-0) earned her 10th complete game with a six-inning six-hitter, allowing only one unearned run and one walk. She struck out seven.
 
Junior left fielder Kaci Neveling and junior center fielder Jaclyn Carifi led the Lions' 13-hit attack with three hits apiece. Conroy had two hits and three RBIs.
 
Schauer went 2-for-3 for the Scarlet Raptors.
   
The Lions jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning as Neveling led off with a single, was sacrificed to second and Conroy walked. A single by sophomore catcher Julia Mayernik plated one run and an RBI ground out added the second one.
 
After that frame, Raptors junior Rachel White and Lions freshman Julia Roessler matched scoreless frames until the bottom of the fourth, when a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for the Lions, sparking an eight-run inning that led to the shortened five-inning game.
 
White (1-5) ended up working three-plus innings, allowing five hits, four walks and seven runs, six earned. She struck out one. Roessler (4-1) earned the five-inning shutout with a three-hitter, walking one and fanning one. Senior center fielder Kimmy Musarra had two of the hits for the Raptors, while senior shortstop Meg Gray added the other.