Lakewood, N.J.- Coming off a stellar Sunshine State showing of 9-3 last week, and a 13-4 overall start to the 2019 campaign, Georgian Court University returned to the familiar confines of SEI Investments Field Tuesday to kick off the home slate with a non-conference twin-bill vs. Adelphi University.

The Lions continued their winning ways as GCU escaped with a 4-3, eight-inning triumph in the opener before pounding the Panthers in the nightcap, 12-2, in just five frames.

GAME ONE

A three-run homer to left field by Hannah Pineda (So.-New Hyde Park, N.Y.) provided visiting Adelphi a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning of the initial contest of the afternoon. The home team followed with a deep fly of their own in the bottom of the frame when Samantha Salomon connected on her second of the season as the junior's opposite-field shot made the score 3-1 Panthers.

It would be Salomon's swing that would again come up clutch, this time in the home half of the third, when her ribbie single brought around Caitlin Hughes from third base after the sophomore's base path jaunt consisting of a walk, stolen base and wild pitch. CACC Player of the Week, Samantha Reilly, followed with a run-inducing double to center, bringing around Salomon with the tying tally.

The resulting 3-3 stalemate would hold solidly for the remainder of regulation as extra frames would be needed to settle the score. Jessica O'Neil, coming in relief for GCU starter, Mikayla Gilgert, pitched through a scoreless top of the eighth for the Lions. 

Looking for its second walk-off win in as many games, Malaya Black led off the bottom of the eighth by reaching on an error by the Adelphi third baseman after a lengthy eight-pitch at-bat. The GCU right-fielder then advanced to second on a groundout to third, setting the stage for Kendalia Turner who proceeded to drive in her teammate with a game-winning single to left.

O'Neil, with her one inning of action (1.0 IP, 2 H), earned her third victory of the season (3-1). Gilgert was saddled with a no-decision in yet another solid showing for the freshman (7.0 IP. 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 5 K).

Adelphi's Ally Muller (So.-Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) falls to 1-5 for the Panthers after striking out 12 Lions in the complete-game effort (7.1 IP. 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB).

GAME TWO

GCU had zero interest in dragging out the inevitable in the nightcap as the Lions pounced for three runs in the first and an eight-spot in the third to make quick work of Adelphi in the five-inning rout. 

Reilly (2-for-2, 2 RBI) ripped her fifth homer of the season with a solo shot to start the third-inning thumping. Malia Black (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) laced a two-run triple in the same frame.

First game closer, O'Neil, got the start in the second contest as the senior went 3.0 innings (3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K) to earn her a second winning-decision on the day (4-1). Nicole Mengel (So.-Lititz, Pa.) took the loss for the Panthers (2.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB), falling to 1-2 on the year.

Adelphi slips to 2-9 overall after the sweep.

Georgian Court next welcomes Nyack College to campus this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference double-dip.