BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The nationally ranked Northampton softball team picked up two wins in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Bergen Community College.

The Spartans, ranked 10th in the most recent NJCAA national poll, took down the visiting Bulldogs in game one, 12-3, and cruised to a, 11-0, win in game two to improve to 4-0 on the young season.

"Good pitching and our bats stayed hot," explained Spartans Head Coach Eric Kutteroff, "We got another strong effort on the mound in both games and multiple contributors up and down our lineup today. Complete team effort and it was a good to see everyone getting involved with our offense. Definitely pleased with the overall efforts and the start to our season."

GAME ONE - WON 12-3 in 5 INNINGS

Trailing, 1-0, after the top of the first inning, Emma Kozy (Emmaus, Pa/Emmaus) drew a 2-out walk and Erin Goonan (Mechanicsburg, Pa/Mechanicsburg High School) followed with a blast to deep center field for a 2-run home run and put the Spartans ahead, 2-1. That was all the Spartans would need as they then exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits, plating 5 runs in the second inning and 5 more in the third inning, to cruise to the run rule win after 5 innings, 12-3. 

Emma Kozy (Emmaus, Pa/Emmaus) (3-0) spun the 5 inning complete game, allowing 6 hits and striking out 4 to shut down the Bergen offense. Kozy was also 3-3 at the plate with a double and a stolen base while knocking in 3 runs.

Erin Goonan (Mechanicsburg, Pa/Mechanicsburg High School) was 2-4 with a home run and Kailyn Kielbasa (Hawley, Pa/Wallenpaupack High School) was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Maria Moore (Fogelsville, Pa/Parkland High School) was 2-4 with 2 RBI and Elizabeth Trethaway (Crosby, TX/Crosby) and Kyra Miller (Whitehall, Pa/Whitehall High School) both had doubles and each knocked in a run to pace the Spartans offense.

GAME TWO - WON 11-0 in 5 INNINGS

Emme Kozy (4-0) picked up the victory on the mound with the 5 inning complete game 4-hit shutout. Kozy struck out 5 with 0 walks. Kozy did not allow a base runner to advance past second base.

The Spartans scored 4 runs on the bottom of the second inning to jump ahead, 4-0, highlighted by RBI singles by Aniah Clavell (Allentown, Pa/Dieruff High School) and Kailyn Kielbasa (Hawley, Pa/Wallenpaupack High School) and two more runs racing home when Maria Moore (Fogelsville, Pa/Parkland High School) reached on an error.

Northampton put the game out of reach with 7 runs coming across the plate in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead to 11-0 over Bergen.

Kailyn Kielbasa (Hawley, Pa/Wallenpaupack High School) was 2-2 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI and Maggie Pagotto (Lehighton, Pa/Lehighton) was 1-3 with a double and 2 RBI to lead the offense. Kyra Miller (Whitehall, Pa/Whitehall High School) was 1-2 with 2 stolen bases and Abymarie Colon (Easton, Pa/Wilson High School) was 1-2 with 2 runs scored. Rylee Sampson (Easton, Pa/Pen Argyl High School) was 1-2 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Northampton improves to 4-0 overall and 4-0 in Region 19.

Bergen falls to 1-7 overall and 1-7 in the Region.

The Spartans are back in action on Friday when they travel to Toms River, NJ for a Region 19 doubleheader against Ocean County College at 4pm at the Vikings Softball Complex.