The College's softball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Ramapo College on Saturday night.
They also split a doubleheader with rival Rowan University last Tuesday. This put the Lions at 13-8-1 and 3-3 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
Despite losing 1-0 in the first game on Saturday, junior pitcher Jessica Donohue put the Lions in position to win the first game against Ramapo with another solid outing, giving up just one run in seven innings on a fielder's choice in the top of the first.
The College's offense could only manage two hits off Rowan's senior Jaime Anzaldi, who picked up the win to go 8-1. Donohue dropped to 8-2 despite her stellar effort.
The Lions lost their second game against Ramapo as freshman pitchers Jessica Kohut and Heather Hoffman combined to give up six runs in six innings. Hoffman picked up the loss to drop to 2-3.
Junior outfielder Kristen Zimmerman went 3-for-3 and freshman infielder Erin Cusmano was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.
Head coach Sally Miller remains optimistic. "We're right in every game right now," she said "We're competing and we have a lot of talent. I think we have the ability to do some really good things."
Earlier in the week, the Lions defeated Rowan in the first game, 1-0, and dropped the second one 4-1.
"I thought for both games we were there," Miller said about the doubleheader against Rowan. "It wasn't a matter of us not showing up. Every inning it was neck-in-neck. Our offense made some adjustments and made their defense play us."
In the top of the seventh of the first game, Kohut hit a game winning double to the fence with the outfield in to score Zimmerman, who led off the inning with a single.
"In my last at bat, it was a tight situation with a runner on first and all I was thinking about was advancing her into scoring position," Kohut said. "I just saw the ball and connected with it really well. It felt great to come through for the team."
Donohue kept the Lions within striking distance all game, tossing a complete game one-hitter and striking out eight. She improved to 8-1 on the year while Rowan sophomore Colleen Oswald, who gave up one run on two hits in seven innings, dropped to 8-2.
"(Donohue) is definitely the most consistent player for us this year," Miller said. "That's what we're trying to get from other younger pitchers. We want to know when we put them out there what to expect. We know what is going to happen when Jess takes the mound."
Pitching inconsistency was a factor for the College in the second game and against Ramapo. Hoffman lasted just two innings in her start against Rowan, beginning the game with a walk to sophomore infielder Danielle Schweers, who was singled in by junior outfielder Nicole Panikiewsky.
Kohut picked up the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits in five innings of relief. She is now 3-2.
"We need to keep these in our own hands," Miller said. "Taking control early on is something I think we are capable of doing."
The Lions play two games against Montclair State University at home on Saturday at 1 p.m.
