BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The NCC Softball team used a six run 7th inning to break a 5-5 tie and defeat Sussex County Community College, 11-5, to advance to the Region XIX semi-finals on Sunday.

The Spartans, who lost to #1 seed Gloucester, 7-2, in the opening game of the day, rebounded to eliminate the Skylanders, who had fallen to Brookdale, 4-0, in their first game.

In game one, NCC scored two runs in the top of 1st as Jen Denaro was hit by a pitch, Ashley Venturino reached on an error, Morgan Neel doubled, scoring Denaro and Gina Falco hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Neel.

Gloucester (40-4) got the two runs back in the bottom half of the inning and the game remained tied until the bottom of the 5th when the Roadrunners scored 3 runs to take a 5-2 lead. 

Neel doubled in the 6th, but the Spartans couldn't get her home and GCC added 2 insurance runs in the 6th to earn a 7-2 victory.

In game two, the Spartans led 5-2 entering the bottom of the 6th, but Sussex rallied with 3 runs to tie the game at 5-5.

NCC then exploded for six runs in the top of the 7th, as Megan Dougherty (3 for 4, 3 RBI) had a 2-run single to break things open.

Ashley Venturino finished 2 for 5 with 3 RBI and Gina Falco was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI to pace the Spartans.

Jackie Gates added a triple and 2 RBI as the Spartans improved to 18-8 on the season.

NCC will face Brookdale Community College at 11:00am on Sunday in the Region XIX semi-finals for the right to advance to the Regional Championship game vs. Gloucester.