WAYNE, N.J. (April 20, 2024) – The Rutgers University-Camden softball team scored four runs in the fourth inning of the opening game to post a 6-2 victory, but William Paterson University bounced back to win the nightcap as the two teams split a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here Saturday.
 
Rutgers-Camden leaves the twinbill with a 14-20 record overall and a 5-9 mark in the NJAC. Paterson is 5-23 overall and 3-11 in the NJAC.
 
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Tuesday when they host NJAC and national power Rowan University for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
   
Trailing, 2-1, as they entered the fourth inning, the Scarlet Raptors scored four runs on five hits and two Paterson errors. Junior third baseman Luci Hutchinson opened the inning with a double and senior center fielder Alexa McNee followed with her first career home run to put the Scarlet Raptors ahead for good.
 
Junior catcher Kendall Lafferty singled and was sacrificed to second base by freshman right fielder Kali Baker. Sophomore first baseman Bella Lynch added a single which was misplayed in left field, allowing Lafferty to score. One out later, senior designated player Kamryn Kennedy doubled home Lynch.
 
Kennedy also had an RBI single in the third inning. The Raptors added their final run on two walks and an error in the seventh inning.
 
Freshman Sammie Friel hurled a two-hitter for the win, allowing both hits in the Pioneers' two-run third inning. Friel (8-6) walked one and struck out nine.
 
Kennedy went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Lynch went 2-for-3 and scored twice, and McNee was 1-for-3 with her two-run home run.
   
The Pioneers collected four hits and scored three runs in the second inning as they overcame a one-run deficit and took the lead for good. Sophomore third baseman Hailey Backo had a two-run double in the frame on her way to a three-RBI game.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored both of its runs in the fourth inning, sparked by a leadoff single from Lafferty. She advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Lynch. Kennedy plated Lynch with a single.
 
Kennedy went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBIs to lead the seven-hit Rutgers-Camden attach, while Lynch added two hits.
 
Junior Lindsey Rodzon (2-12) took the loss, working three innings and allowing seven hits and four earned runs. She struck out one. Paterson sophomore Kylie Anthony (1-2) worked five innings to earn the win, allowing six hits and four runs (three earned), while striking out three.