MAHWAH, N.J. (April 16, 2023) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team gave Ramapo College all it could handle in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Sunday, but one bad inning and one overpowering pitching performance helped the Roadrunners sweep the Scarlet Raptors, 7-2 and 1-0.
 
The wins lift Ramapo to 24-7-1 overall and 8-1-1 in the NJAC, trailing only conference-leading Rowan.
 
Rutgers-Camden falls to 8-18 overall and 5-5 in the NJAC, good for fifth place in the conference standings.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC action Tuesday when it hosts The College of New Jersey in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
   
In the opening game, Ramapo scored a third-inning run before Rutgers-Camden bounced back with two in the top of the fourth inning to grab a 2-1 lead. Senior second baseman Cate Petrucelli hit a leadoff infield single and senior catcher Zoe Rodriguez ripped a home run to left field.
 
That 2-1 lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the fourth, Ramapo loaded the bases with two outs on a pair of singles and a fielder's choice that didn't produce an out. A two-out infield throwing error brought home two runs and sophomore shortstop Katie Rygiel followed with an RBI double. She scored on a single by senior catcher Alexis Corra before the Roadrunners were retired.
 
The four unearned runs pinned the loss on tough-luck Scarlet Raptor sophomore Lindsey Rodzon, who worked five innings, allowing seven hits, two walks and five runs, only one earned.
 
Sophomore Marissa DiPaolo (8-1) picked up the win for Ramapo, working six innings and allowing six hits, two earned runs and two walks. She struck out four.
 
Rygiel, Corra, freshman left fielder Kori Gargiulo and senior center fielder Nicole Cerasi had two hits apiece for the Roadrunners.
 
Senior right fielder Jayden Hunter went 2-for-4 for the Scarlet Raptors.
   
Roadrunner junior Mahogany Wheeler (7-3) hurled a one-hit shutout to out-duel Rodzon (8-8) in a second-game pitching duel. Wheeler retired the first 10 Scarlet Raptors before hitting junior center fielder Alexa McNee with a pitch, but she kept her no-hitter going until two outs in the sixth inning, when Hunter ripped a double to center field. Wheeler finished with two strikeouts.
 
Rodzon pitched another terrific game, scattering nine hits and two walks, while striking out four. The only run she allowed came in the second inning after freshman second baseman Avery Kontura hit a leadoff double. She eventually scored on a one-out single by senior designated player Anna Messina, who went 3-for-3 in the game.