CARNEYS POINT, NJ - The 10th ranked Northampton softball team dropped their season opening doubleheader to NJCAA Division II Salem Community College on Sunday afternoon, falling 11-10 in game one and 11-2 in game two. 

GAME ONE - Lost 11-10
The Spartans opened the 2024 campaign with a tough 11-10 loss, coming up short in their bid to the tie the contest in the top of the 7th.  

Northampton had 14 hits, but Salem was able to score 11 runs on 17 hits, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after 2 innings. 

The Spartans battled back with with 6 runs in the 3rd, but the Oaks responded with 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead at 7-6. 

Shana Gugliandolo (Allentown, PA/Parkland) finished 3 for4 with a homerun, Chelsea Melkowits (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) went 1 for 4 with a homerun and 4 RBI and Hannah Karc (Wind Gap, PA/Nazareth) was 1 for 5 with a homerun. 

Theresa Luongo (Lopatcong, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) took the loss, working 2.2 innings, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits, walking 3 and striking out 2.  Sydney Harper (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) and Kamryn Tokar (Emmaus, PA/Emmaus) combined to pitch the final 3.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 10 hits. 

GAME TWO - Lost 11-2 (5 innings)
In game two, the Spartans took a run-rule shortened 11-2 loss, despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead after 2 innings. 

The Mighty Oaks scored 4 runs in the 3rd, 3 in the 4th and 4 in the 5th to earn the victory. 

Chelsea Melkowits (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) and Hanna Karc each had doubles, while Cassandra Schillo (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) finished 2 for 3 at the plate. 

Taylor Neumann (York, PA/York Suburban) went 2.2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, walking 4 and fanning 3.  Theresa Luongo (Lopatcong, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) pitched the final 2 innings, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits.

The Spartans are now 0-2 overall, while the DII Mighty Oaks improve to 12-4.

Northampton is now off until Friday March 29th when they travel to Canadaigua, NY to face Finger Lakes Community College at 3:30pm.