Softball Extends Streak to Eight; Splits With Rutgers-Newark

NEWARK, N.J. —  A bases-clearing triple by sophomore Bella Gomez (Whittier, Calif./Sonora) powered the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) softball team to a 6-3 game one victory over Rutgers-Newark on Saturday afternoon. But the Scarlet Raiders (5-6) handed the Bears (9-2) their first shutout loss in game two, halting their win streak at eight games.

Reigning two-time Skyline Pitcher of the Week sophomore Autumn Poppett (San Diego, Calif./Mission Hills) improved to 4-0 in the circle going the distance in game one.

Game 1: St. Joseph's 6, Rutgers-Newark 3

The Bears posted the decisive four runs in the second, all coming with two out. Alexis Buchanan (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley) got it going with a single followed by back-to-back walks from Poppett and Sofia Logreco (San Diego, Calif./Mission Hills) to load the bases. Vivian Tomovich (San Diego, Calif./Serra) drew the third-straight walk for the game's first run and turned over the lineup for Gomez, who brought everyone home with a triple for a 4-0 lead.

The hosts picked one back up in the home half of the frame drawing a bases-loaded walk of their own. After stranding two runners in the third, the Scarlet Raiders pulled within one with a two-run fourth.

Clutch two-out hitting by Ashleigh Hartwig (Santee, Calif./West Hills) in the fifth and seventh innings helped the Bears bring home two more insurance runs to pad the lead to 6-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Rutgers-Newark gained runners on first and second with one out bringing the tying run to the plate, but Hartwig turned a game-ending double play from third to first.

Gomez (3 RBI, 3B, SB) and Hartwig (2 RBI, 2B) both finished 2-for-4 and combined to drive in five runs. Buchanan knocked the only other hit for the Bears finishing 1-for-2 with a walk.

Poppett struck out four and only two of her runs scored earned as she remained unbeaten in the circle. She scattered seven hits and five walks in the complete-game effort.

Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 9, St. Joseph's 0 (5 inn)

Despite a combined seven strikeouts by the Bears pitchers, the offense, which entered the game leading Division III in runs per game, was held scoreless for the first time this season. 

Rutgers scored a solo run in the first and posted a quartet of runs in the second and third innings.

Gomez, Arianna Heinsch (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall Academy), Hartwig, Buchanan, Trani knocked the five hits for the Bears, all singles. Gomez also stole a base, her team-high tying 10th.

Brianna Kilimet (Valley Stream, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) took the loss in the circle with only two of her five runs scoring earned as she struck out three in 1.2 innings of work. Jessica Mecham (West Jordan, Utah/Copper Hills) worked 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out two, surrendering no hits and one walk.

The Bear Facts

• Hartwig extended her hitting streak to 12 games dating back to last season.
• Buchanan extended her hitting streak to eight games.
• Mecham has tossed six-straight hitless, shutout innings. 
• The eight-game win streak was the first since 2015.

Next Up

The Bears open Skyline Conference play on the road against Yeshiva University on Friday, April 1. Time and location are still to be announced.