Ranger Offense Erupts for 13 Runs, Earn Split

MADISON, N.J. (April 7, 2011) – After scoring only one run in game one of the twinbill with St. Joseph's-Long Island (7-9), the Ranger offense plated 13 runs in the nightcap to improve to 11-12 on the year. Freshman Brooke Nwosu (Freehold Twp., N.J./Freehold Twp.) earned her first career victory in the circle and went 1-for-1 with a home run in the game two win.

Game 1 - Box Score
St. Joseph's starting pitcher Julia DeCarmine pitched six shutout innings before allowing an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The sophomore scattered four hits and struck out six to earn her third win of the year. The right-hander also did her part at the plate, scoring the first run of the ball game in the third inning and driving in what would turn out to be the winning run in the top of the seventh.

The Ranger bats were quiet until their final turn at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. After the first two Rangers were struck out by DeCarmine, Jen Mateo (Union City, N.J./Union City) bunted for a hit to bring the tying run to the plate. Freshman Brooke Gagliano (Freehold Twp./Freehold Twp.) then stepped in and hit a fly ball to right that was dropped by the Eagles right fielder allowing Mateo to score from first.

The short rally was halted when DeCarmine induced a pop out to the third baseman to end the game. Mateo had two of Ranger four hits on the afternoon bringing her season total up to 16

Game 2- Box Score
The Rangers put together their second highest offensive output of the season in game two, bringing home 13 runs in just five innings of play. Nwosu pitched a complete game, striking out four and surrendering two hits in the first shutout of the season for the Ranger pitching staff.

Nwosu helped her own cause in the bottom of the second inning with her second home run of the spring, an opposite field shot that cleared the left field wall. Jillian Lusk (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) then followed with her eighth double of the spring that hit the top of the fence. After retiring the next two Rangers, Eagle starting pitcher Cassie Martinez seemed to escape trouble getting a ground ball to third by Drew's Helen Mustafa (Union City, N.J./Union City). The throw over to first sailed over the first baseman's head, allowing Lusk to score.

The Rangers took full advantage of the error and sent 10 more batters to the plate before the end of the inning. Fittingly, Mustafa would have the last hit of the inning, tripling to left field and driving in three runs.
Drew's 1-through-3 hitters, Gagliano, Lexie Forsell (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro) and Jeramie Barletta (Madison, N.J./Madison), each had two hits and a combined five runs scored in the game.

The Rangers will be in action this Saturday in a Landmark Conference doubleheader against Catholic. The double-dip is slated to start at 1:00 PM in Washington, D.C.