Softball Tops Rutgers-Camden in ECAC Quarterfinal

CAMDEN, N.J. – Sophomore right-hander Cassie Martinez (Centereach, NY/Middle Country) hurled a seven-hitter and freshman centerfielder Julianne Tierney (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage) drove home all the runs to lead fifth-seeded St. Joseph's College (Long Island) to a 3-1 victory over No. 4 seed Rutgers University-Camden in an ECAC Division III Metro Championship quarterfinal game here Thursday night at Rutgers-Camden Community Park.

The victory vaults the Golden Eagles (20-18) into the weekend's double-elimination action at Richard Stockton College. They will face the top-seeded Ospreys at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Rutgers-Camden closes its season with a 17-17 record.

Sparked by the hitting of its 3-4 combination in the batting order, St. Joseph's College took the lead for good in the top of the first inning. With two outs, junior second baseman Julia DeCarmine (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) ripped a single to left field and advanced on a wild pitch moments later. She scored on a single to left by Tierney.

The Golden Eagles struck again in the third inning following a leadoff walk to freshman rightfielder Tara Bernocco (Islip, NY/Islip). She raced to third when DeCarmine doubled to right-center. Both of them scored on a single up the middle by Tierney.

Those runs were more than enough for Martinez, who scattered seven hits and struck out three to raise her record to 10-9. She allowed only one earned run, coming in the bottom of the third when the Scarlet Raptors had consecutive one-out bunt singles by junior first baseman Christina Tamburrino (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and senior centerfielder Lauren Hatzelhoffer (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial). Senior rightfielder Vicki D'Anduono (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) followed with an RBI single to left and advanced to second on a throw home. With the tying runs in scoring position, however, Martinez fanned two consecutive batters to wriggle out of the jam. She allowed only two more hits the rest of the way, and never allowed the tying run to reach base again.

Senior Amanda Cassella (Atco, NJ/Hammonton) took the loss for the Scarlet Raptors, working six innings of seven-hit ball. Cassella (9-8) walked three, struck out five and allowed the three earned runs before leaving the game after six innings due to an injury.

DeCarmine went 2-for-3 with two runs for the Golden Eagles, while Tierney was 2-for-3 with all three RBIs.

Hatzelhoffer and D'Anduono each went 2-for-3 for the Scarlet Raptors, with D'Anduono collecting the lone RBI.

ECAC Division III Metro Softball Championships
(Single-elimination at higher seeds)

Thursday, May 10
#3 SUNY-Old Westbury 5, #6 Brooklyn College 0
#5 St. Joseph's College-Long Island 3, #4 Rutgers University-Camden 1

(Double-elimination at Richard Stockton College)

Saturday, May 12
Game 1: #5 St. Joseph's College (20-18) at #1 Richard Stockton College (25-13), 10 a.m.
Game 2: #3 SUNY-Old Westbury (25-17) vs. #2 Sage Colleges (26-15), 12 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 2 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 13
Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 12 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 2 p.m.
Game 7 (if necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 4 p.m.

(Release Courtesy of Rutgers-Camden Sports Information)