BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton Softball team split a doubleheader vs. Camden County College on Thursday, dropping game one 3-2 and taking the nightcap 12-11, at Cougar Park.
GAME ONE - Lost 3-2
The Spartans struck first, scoring a run in the 3rd inning when
Alexa Fancera (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) led off the inning with a single, stole second and then scored on a
Jackie Jones (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) single to centerfield.
The Spartans increased their lead to 2-0 in the 5th inning when Jones walked, stole second and scored on a
Hailey Druckenmiller (Orefield, PA/Parkland ) single.
Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the 6th inning, Camden rallied for 3 runs, highlighted by a 2-run triple from Jaiana Gautier, taking a 3-2 lead into the 7th, where they closed the door on Northampton for the 3-2 victory.
Jones finished 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and
Destiny Koppenhaver (Easton, PA/Commonwealth Charter ) went 1 for 3, as the Spartans were held to 5 hits.
Hailey Druckenmiller (Orefield, PA/Parkland ) took the hard-luck loss, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings of work, striking out 4 and issuing no walks.
GAME TWO - Won 12-11
After managing just 5 hits in game one, the Spartan bats came alive in game two, pounding out 20 hits in the 12-11 victory.
Tied 1-1 entering the 4th inning, the Spartans put 10 runs across the plate to take a commanding 11-1 lead. The Spartans had 12 hits in the 4th inning, including 7 consecutive singles at one point.
Camden scored 2 in the bottom half of the 4th to make it 11-3, but the Spartans added a run in the 5th as
Madison Hendrickson (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) singled and scored on a
Maria Pezzino (Nazareth, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) single to make it 12-3.
Camden continued to chip away, scoring 3 in the 5th, 2 in the 6th and then 3 in the 7th before the Spartans were able to record the final out and take the 12-11 victory.
Alexa Fancera (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) finished 3 for 5 with 2 RBI,
Sophia Iovino (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) was 3 for 5 with 1 RBI,
Maria Pezzino (Nazareth, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) went 3 for 4 and
Emily Michael (Easton/Easton ) was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI to pace the offense.
Michael got the win in the circle, allowing 8 runs (5 earned) on 16 hits. Druckenmiller came on in relief, pitching the final 1.2 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits.
The split puts Northampton at 9-13 overall, while Camden moves to 6-16.
The Spartans wrap up the 2021 campaign on Saturday when they host Sussex County Community College, with the first game slated to start at 11:00am.
