EDISON, NJ - The Northampton softball team put up a valiant effort, but came up short in the end at the Region XIX tournament, falling to #1 Brookdale 4-1 and #3 Middlesex 8-7, to finish in fourth place at the double-elimination tournament.

In game one vs. Brookdale (54-3), the Spartans jumped out early with a run in the top of the 1st inning, but that was the only run they would manage over the next 6 innings, as they managed only three hits.  Hailley Houck, Shelby Belzecky and Mel Hippenstiel each had a hit to highlight the Spartan offense. 

In game two, Middlesex (26-6) jumped out to 7-2 lead after 5 innings, but the Spartans rallied  to tie the score at 7-7 with five runs in the top of the 7th. Middlesex then scored the game-winning run in the bottom half of the inning on a NCC throwing error to earn an 8-7 victory and eliminate Northampton from the tournament.

Kristin Steiner was 3 for 4 and Jesi Cericola was 3 for 4 to lead Northampton.

Northampton finishes the season with an overall record of 22-14.