Wayne, NJ - The John Jay softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against William Paterson on Tuesday afternoon at Pioneer Softball Field, falling 10-5 in the opener before responding with a 9-7 comeback victory in game two.
John Jay moves to 5-11 on the season with the split, while the Pioneers move to 6-7 overall.
Game 1: William Paterson 10, John Jay 5
The Bloodhounds jumped out to a strong start, plating five runs across the first two innings before William Paterson responded with a decisive second-inning rally to seize control.
Natalie Graham sparked the offense early, doubling to lead off the game and eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly from
Kelly Fajardo to give John Jay a 1-0 lead.
The momentum continued in the second inning, as Graham delivered a two-RBI single to right-center, followed by a two-run single from Fajardo to extend the advantage to 5-0.
However, the game shifted in the bottom half of the second. William Paterson capitalized on a combination of walks and defensive miscues, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs—five of which were unearned—to take a 7-5 lead.
From there, the Pioneers added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, while John Jay's offense was held scoreless over the final five frames.
Graham led the way offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Fajardo drove in three runs.
Adrianna Barragan added a hit, and
Kayla Sauers recorded a double.
In the circle,
Lindsay Ogden was tagged for five runs (two earned) in one inning of work, while Barragan (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just two earned runs over five innings.
Game 2: John Jay 9, William Paterson 7
John Jay responded in a big way in game two, using a five-run fifth inning to erase a deficit and secure the split.
The Bloodhounds wasted no time getting on the board, capitalizing on early William Paterson errors in the first inning.
Adrianna Barragan delivered a two-RBI single, while
Samantha Santana followed with an RBI knock to give John Jay a 4-0 lead.
William Paterson answered with three runs in the bottom half and later took a 6-4 lead following a three-run home run from Hailey Backo in the fourth inning.
Trailing 6-4, John Jay delivered its decisive response in the fifth. Fajardo tied the game with a two-run home run, igniting the rally. Barragan followed with an RBI single, and Santana capped the inning by reaching on an error that allowed two more runs to score, putting the Bloodhounds ahead 9-6.
From there, Ogden settled in the circle, working a complete game to earn the win (3-5). Despite allowing seven runs (six earned), she navigated through traffic and limited further damage over the final innings.
Offensively, Barragan led the charge with a 2-for-4 performance and three RBI, while Santana also went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Fajardo added the pivotal two-run homer, and
Alyssa Cadolino and
Kayla Sauers each recorded multi-hit efforts.
William Paterson threatened in the seventh, scoring once and bringing the tying run to the plate, but John Jay closed the door to secure the 9-7 victory.
The Bloodhounds are back in action on Thursday, March 26, as they travel to Morristown, NJ, to tangle with Saint Elizabeth.
First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
