Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (3-3) evened its overall record by sweeping Stevens (5-5) with a pair of one-run victories. The Ospreys edged the Ducks 9-8 in the first game and 3-2 in the nightcap, which was called in the fifth inning due to darkness.
Lilly James (Roseland/West Essex) and
Vanessa Tancini (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman) combined for half of Stockton's 14 hits in the opener. James went 4-5 with a double, home run and four RBI. Tancini was 3-4 with two runs and an RBI.
After Stevens scored once in the top of the first, James quickly tied the game by leading off the bottom of the first with a solo homer. The Ducks scored three times in the top of the second and the Ospreys got two back in the bottom half on an RBI single by
Gabrielle Barranger (Sicklerville/Haddonfield) and an RBI double by James.
Stockton surged ahead 7-4 with four runs in the bottom of the third. James again provided the key blow with a two-run single. Stevens answered with two runs in the fourth inning and two in the top of the sixth, regaining the lead at 8-7.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Ospreys tied it 8-8 on a squeeze bunt by
Michaela Luyber (Bordentown/Bordentown). Tancini followed with an RBI on a bunt single that plated the eventual winning run in the 9-8 triumph.
Stockton pitcher
Jenna Crampton (High Bridge/Voorhees) earned her first career win in unorthodox fashion. Crampton started the game and pitched 1.2 innings before exiting with the Ospreys trailing 3-1. She reentered the contest in the top of the sixth and became the pitcher of record when Stockton took the lead for good.
Kayla Posten (Cherry Hill/CH rapped three of Stockton's six hits in the nightcap, including a double. Posten added two RBI and a run while Barranger went 1-2 with a run.
Stevens took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first and Stockton tied the game in the bottom half. Posten slugged an RBI double that scored James.
Jenna Patterson (Mullica Hill/Clearview) sent Posten home with an RBI single.
The 2-2 tie remained until the bottom of the fourth. Barranger led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single by Posten. After the Ducks were retired in the top of the fifth, the game was called due to darkness for a 3-2 Stockton victory.
Nerina Tramp (Blackwood/Highland) earned her second win of the season on the mound, allowing two runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.
Jessica Guerrero and Rachael Prescott paced Stevens with four hits apiece in the doubleheader.
Up next, Stockton will host Immaculata University for a twinbill on March 14 at 2:30 p.m.
