MONTCLAIR, N.J. (April 18, 2026) – Facing one of the top programs in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, the Rutgers University-Camden softball team turned in one of its best doubleheader performances of the season, but in the end Montclair State University prevailed.
 
The Red Hawks pushed across two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to slip past the Scarlet Raptors, 4-3, in the opening game and went on to capture the nightcap, 6-2.
 
Montclair State improved to 24-12 overall and 9-5 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Camden fell to 8-18 overall and 3-11 in NJAC play.
 
The Scarlet Raptors play a 3 p.m. NJAC doubleheader at William Paterson University on Tuesday.
   
The Scarlet Raptors broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI single by freshman first baseman Kaede Walsh. Montclair State, however, bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, on an RBI single by sophomore pinch-hitter Marialys Ricourt and a hit batsman that forced home the winning run.
 
The Red Hawks had taken a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and fifth innings, but the Scarlet Raptors tied the game with a two-run sixth inning. Junior center fielder Kali Baker sparked the rally with a leadoff single. Junior second baseman Gianna Bauer sacrificed her to second and she advanced to third on a single by junior third baseman Alana Gannon. Gannon stole second and Baker scored on an infield single by sophomore catcher Madi Carr. Gannon scored the tying run on a ground out by freshman right fielder Lilia Ortiz.
 
The game was a terrific pitching duel between Raptor junior Sammie Friel and Montclair State junior Carly Mockenhaupt. Friel (5-8) worked 8.2 innings, allowing eight hits, four walks and four runs, only two earned. She struck out five. Mockenhaupt (8-4) hurled nine innings, allowing eight hits, one walk and three runs, two of them earned. She struck out five.
 
Gannon, Carr and Walsh had two hits apiece for the Scarlet Raptors. Gannon also scored two runs, while Carr, Walsh and Ortiz had one RBI apiece.
   
The Red Hawks scored once in the second inning and three times in the third to grab a 4-0 lead. The third inning featured four hits and one error, leading to two unearned runs.
 
Rutgers-Camden cut its deficit in half with a pair of runs in the fourth inning, sparked by a double from Gannon. Carr doubled her home and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Walsh. Montclair State, however, came right back with two runs in its half of the fourth inning.
 
Carr went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI for the Scarlet Raptors, while sophomore center fielder Sophia Alonso led Montclair State with a 3-for-3 game.
 
Freshman Jordan Tarabokia (8-4) hurled a complete game six-hitter for Montclair State, striking out seven and not allowing a walk.
 
Scarlet Raptor freshman starter Natalie D'Angelo (2-3) took the loss, working 2.2 innings and allowing five hits and four runs, only two of them earned.