As the Roadrunner Softball team prepared to do battle with GSAC and Region 19 rival Brookdale CC Saturday, Coach Steve DePasquale had plenty of concerns.

With a battle looming between his No. 6 nationally ranked RCSJ team and the No. 7 Jersey Blues, DePasquale was especially worried about the time his team had off in recent weeks due to rainouts.

"We haven't played and had any regular hitting or on-field competition," he commented. "I'm not sure what to expect."

The Runners did not disappoint, as they swept the doubleheader over the Jersey Blues, 8-7 and 11-4. But there were tense moments, especially in Game 1 as the home team held an 8-0 lead but were forced to hold off a furious Brookdale rally to claim the triumph.

Photo highlights vs. Brookdale CC
https://rcsjphotos.smugmug.com/GCC-SPORTS/Softball/Softball-vs-Brookdale-41324/n-X4GTfx

In Game 1, Grace Huber and Rylee Shappell smashed home runs while sophomore hurler Gemma Galloway cruised into the fifth inning with a commanding lead. But the Jersey Blues scored 6 runs in the top of the fifth and added a run in the seventh before bowing out.

In Game 2, the Runners faced an early 4-0 deficit, but responded with a six-run second inning and a five-run third for a lightning fast 11-4 lead that stunned the visiting team and put the outcome out of reach.

Shappell came up big once again with a two-run double while teammate Anna Cirucci added another two RBIs.

Angelina Rinaldi and Galloway combined to halt the Brookdale hitters with Galloway earning the win to improve her record 7-3 overall.

Next up for the Runners will be a road doubleheader at Middlesex College Sunday starting with a Game 1 first pitch at 1 pm.