BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton softball team split a Region 19 doubleheader vs. Sussex County Community College on Thursday afternoon, dropping game one 4-2 and then rebounding to win the nightcap, 8-2, at Spartan Field.

GAME ONE - Lost 4-2
Sussex got on the board in the top of the 1st, scoring 1 run on a walk and a hit. The Skylanders followed that up with a run in the 3rd and 2 runs in the 4th, taking a 4-0 lead into the 7th inning.

The Spartans were able to manufacture 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, as Grace Perna (Stewartsville, NJ/Notre Dame - Green Pond) scored on a groundout from Cassandra Schillo (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) and Jillian Reed (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Institute of Technology (NJ)) scored on a double from Siera Klingle (East Bangor, PA/Bangor), but it wasn't enough as Northampton fell 4-2.

Theresa Luongo (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) took the loss, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits over 7 innings, striking out 9. 

Reed finished 2 for 4 with 1 run scored and Klingle was 1 for 4 with a RBI. 

GAME TWO - Won 8-2
In game two, Sussex once again jumped out to an early lead, staking a 2-0 advantage after the 3rd inning.  The Spartans responded with 2 runs in the 4th and 6 in the 5th, holding the Skylanders scoreless over the final 6 innings of play to earn the 8-2 victory. 

Aramie Arroyo (Minersville, PA/Minersville) recorded the win, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings, striking out 12 and walking 1. 

Jillian Reed (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Institute of Technology (NJ)) was 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI, Hannah Karc (Wind Gap, PA/Nazareth) was 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored, Chelsea Melkowits (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township (NJ)) went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Destiny Koppenhaver (Bethlehem, PA/Commonwealth Charter) finished 2 for 3 with 1 RBI to lead Northampton.

The doubleheader split puts Northampton at 19-9 overall and 8-4 in Region 19. 

Sussex moves to 13-10 overall and 6-6 in Region play. 

The Spartans are back in action on Saturday when they travel to RCSJ-Gloucester to face the nationally-ranked Roadrunners at noon.