CAMDEN, N.J. (March 26, 2024) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team took advantage of stellar pitching and made the most of its four hits as it swept a doubleheader from Gwynedd Mercy University, 3-2 and 1-0, here Tuesday.
 
Rutgers-Camden evens its record at 9-9, while Gwynedd Mercy falls to 7-11.
 
Freshman hurler Anna Milillo, who was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Week on Monday, picked up a save in the opening game for junior Lindsey Rodzon and won the nightcap as the starter, with a save from freshman Sammie Friel.

Rutgers-Camden begins its New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at New Jersey City University.
   
The Scarlet Raptors scored three unearned runs off Gwynedd Mercy junior pitcher Emily Murphy (2-3), aided by three errors from the Griffins. Those runs, and some terrific pitching and defense, helped Rutgers-Camden overcome a quick 2-0 deficit, as the Griffins used three hits, a walk and an error to plate two first-inning runs.
 
Rutgers-Camden tied the game with two runs in the second inning. Sophomore right fielder Ava Maloof drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored when freshman designated player Kali Baker reached on a two-out infield error. Baker scored the tying run on a double by junior left fielder Emily Dubiago.
 
The Raptors took the lead in the fourth inning when a pair of errors led to an unearned run. That lead was threatened in the sixth inning when Rodzon walked the first two batters and Milillo walked the first batter she faced in relief. A pop out to second base produced the first out before Maloof turned a fly out to right field into an inning-ending double play, nailing the potential tying run at the plate.
 
Rodzon (2-5) worked five innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and two earned runs. She struck out four. Milillo picked up her second save of the season with two shutout innings, walking one.
   
Behind the clutch pitching of Milillo and Friel, and several strong defensive plays, the Scarlet Raptors pulled off a 1-0 win despite collecting only one hit. That hit came in the fourth inning after junior third baseman Luci Hutchinson opened the frame reaching second base on a throwing error by the Griffins' senior pitcher Jocelyn Baumeister. She scored on a single to right-center field by sophomore designated player Gianna Bauer.
 
Defensively, Hutchinson turned a clutch double play in the third inning after the Griffins put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Hutchinson caught a hard line drive near the foul line and dove back to tag third base barely ahead of the runner scrambling to return.
 
In the seventh inning, after a leadoff walk, Friel struck out the next batter before pinch-hitter Camryn Kinne ripped a hard line drive to center. Her bid for a hit was denied on a stellar diving catch by Raptor senior center fielder Alexa McNee. Friel ended the game with another strikeout.
 
Milillo worked five innings of four-hit ball, walking one, as she raised her record to 4-1. Friel earned her first collegiate save with two hitless shutout innings. She walked two and struck out four.