The College of New Jersey softball team split its doubleheader against Drew University on March 25, with a shutout win in the first game and a narrow loss in the second. The games marked the Lions’ return to play in New Jersey.
This series provided an opportunity for TCNJ to showcase strong pitching and timely hitting, while also highlighting areas for improvement as they prepare for their upcoming home opener.
In Game 1, Maya Knasiak delivered her fifth consecutive complete-game shutout, helping TCNJ secure a 2-0 victory. Knasiak struck out 13 batters, tying her career high for the second time this season. She also contributed offensively by going three-for-four at the plate and driving in the game-winning run with a double. Morgan Estelow added an RBI single to extend TCNJ’s lead early in the contest. Knasiak extended her streak of scoreless innings to over 33 frames while allowing only three hits over five innings.
Game 2 saw both teams locked in a pitchers’ duel until late in the contest. Elizabeth Gosse started for TCNJ before being relieved by Dani Biggio during Drew’s rally. The Lions took a brief lead after Morgan Leonhauser doubled and later scored on an Estelow single. However, Drew responded with a bases-clearing double from Izzy Wiemer that gave them their first lead of the day and ultimately resulted in a 3-2 win over TCNJ despite another attempt at scoring from Leonhauser and Jessica Sclafani.
The Lions will look ahead to their first home games of the season when they host Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, March 28.
