LAKEWOOD, NJ- The lumber slumber is over for the Georgian Court University softball squad as the Lions earned their first two victories vs. CACC opponents Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Post University. The Lions improve to 13-13 (2-4 CACC) while the Eagles plummet to 5-17 (4-4 CACC).

GCU's Brooke Hull stole the show as the senior improved to 8-8 in the circle with both victories in both ends of the twin-bill while also tallying six RBI on the day, including a three-run homer in the Lions' 4-2 Game One victory and a clutch bases loaded, bases-clearing double in the 7-5 nightcap triumph.

GAME ONE

Hull put the Lions up, 3-0, immediately with a first-inning, three-run blast over the left field fence (her second of the season) after CF Dara Schroeder led off the contest with a single and C Christina Masitti reached after being hit by a pitch.

Post University cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the six inning, courtesy of RBI doubles from C Amy Mantha (Sr.-Agawam, MA) and 3B Casey Sclafani (So.-Brooklyn, NY).
 
3B Kelsey Cutler (2-for-3) provided Hull and the rest of the Lions an insurance run with a solo shot to left in the bottom of the frame, also her second of the campaign.

GCU complemented its power surge with four stolen bases in the game, courtesy of Schroeder, Cutler, 2B Rachel Ruch and SS Ashlynn Thompson.

Hull permitted two runs on six hits and a bases-on-balls in the complete-game effort. Johanna Rice (Jr.-Glendale, NY) suffered the defeat for the Eagles (6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, K).


 GAME TWO

The Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first inning on a Ruch single to right-center and a perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt off the bat of Cutler. GCU added a tally in the third on a Thompson grounder to second base.

The 3-0 advantage disappeared in a hurry in the top of the fourth frame as the Eagles countered with a five-spot in an inning that featured four Post hits and two costly Georgian Court errors. 

GCU quickly gathered themselves in the bottom of the inning as they immediately regained the lead with four runs of their own, highlighted by Hull's bases-clearing two-bagger.

Schroeder went 2-for-3 at the dish, which included two runs, her team-leading 17th stolen base, and the freshman's first collegiate double. Ruch contributed two runs, an RBI, and three swipes on the paths. 1B Jen Tartaglia went 2-for-3 with a run scored while Cutler and RF Selina Santillo offered up an RBI each.

Hull again went the distance for the win (7.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, K) while junior Ashley Cummings (Stafford, VA) wore the loss for Post (3.1 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 7 BB).

GCU returns to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon when they host a CACC doubleheader vs. Chestnut Hill College at 2:30 PM.