BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 4th seeded Northampton softball team opened postseason play with a sweep of 5th seeded RCSJ-Cumberland on Tuesday, downing the Dukes 7-2 and 11-3 to advance to the Region 19 Final Four May 11th and 12th in Sewell, NJ., where they will face top-seeded RCSJ-Gloucester on Saturday at 10am.
GAME ONE - Won 7-2
A 4-run 4th inning broke open a tight game and propelled the Spartans to a 7-2 victory in game one.
Shana Gugliandolo (Allentown, PA/Parkland) was 2 for 4 with a double, 2Â RBI and 2 runs scored and
Morgan Boyd (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg South) added 2 doubles and 1 RBI as the Spartans pounded out 12 hits in the victory.Â
Morgan Rissmiller (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) finished 2 for 3 with a triple and
Jenna Geiger (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) had 2 hits, including a double for Northampton.
Sydney Harper (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth) earned the win in the circle, throwing a complete game 4 hitter, striking out 4 and allowing just 2 runs.Â
GAME TWO - Won 11-3 (6 innings)
The Spartans had 13 hits in game two, including 2 homeruns, a triple and 4 doubles as they downed the Dukes 11-3 in 6 innings, earning Coach Kutteroff his 100th career victory.Â
Hannah Karc (Wind Gap, PA/Nazareth) was 3 for 4 with a homerun, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI,
Chelsea Melkowits (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Township) went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIÂ and 3 runs scored and
Cassandra Schillo (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) had a homerun as the Spartans advanced to the Region 19 Final Four.Â
Theresa Luongo (Lopatcong, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) picked up the win with 5 innings of work, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 1 strikeout.Â
Taylor Neumann (York, PA/York Suburban) pitched a scoreless 6th, striking out 1.Â
The Spartans now improve to 20-12 on the season, while RCSJ--Cumberland finishes the season at 10-22.Â
The Final Four appearance will be the 8th for the Northampton program, including a runner-up finish in 2009.Â
Region 19 Final Four Appearances (8)
2009 (runner-up)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2023
2024
*Note - Northampton joined the NJCAA in 2009
Â