Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

NYU Sweeps Rutgers-Newark, Improves to .500

NYU Sweeps Rutgers-Newark, Improves to .500
Posted: Mar 24, 2016

From NYU Athletics

The New York University softball team picked up a pair of road victories over Rutgers-Newark University on Thursday, March 24, in Newark, NJ.

The Violets (9-9) improved to .500 for the first time in program history and are now riding a five-game winning streak, while the Scarlet Raiders dropped to 8-8 after seeing their own five-game winning streak snapped. 

Karissa Zubulake pitched a complete game, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and recording a strikeout in game one as NYU bested Rutgers-Newark 5-3. Diana King was in the circle for game two and went 6.0 innings with three runs allowed on nine hits and two walks. She struck out six as the Violets topped the Scarlet Raiders 6-3.

"Karrisa threw very well. She's been coming on strong lately," said NYU Head Coach Now-Allah James. "Our whole pitching staff has been picking each other up. They all know that if someone is struggling, someone else can come in and pick up the team."

NYU was the first to get its offense going in game one in the top of the fourth inning. After Sage Scheiwiller dropped a sacrifice to advance Molly Webber to second, Claire Stefanelli knocked her in with an RBI single to right. Then, after back-to-back singles to load the bases, Cassi Parulis smacked a bases-clearing triple to the gap in right-centerfield. She picked up three RBIs on the hit as the Violets ended the inning up 4-0.

The Scarlet Raiders got one back in the home half of the fifth and sixth innings, but NYU jumped back out to a three-run lead in the top of the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second, Dakota Damiani singled to left to plate Parulis for the 5-2 lead.

Rutgers-Newark got one more in the home half, but the Violets came away with the victory.

NYU started off the nightcap much like the first contest and exploded for four runs to start the scoring, this time in the top of the second inning. First Allyson Schmus stole second and Ashley Mains was able to score on the play from third base. Two at-bats later, Parulis doubled to left for the RBI as Schmus crossed the plate.

King stepped into the box with two outs and Parulis on second. The rookie blasted her team-leading fifth home run of the season to right-centerfield to put NYU up 4-0.

"Diana comes out with a plan every game, sees the ball well and hits it very hard. They're going out of the park right now," continued James. "She's a complete player that can play small-ball, steal bases and has a lot of power. And, she still has a lot of room to grow."

The Scarlet Raiders got one back in the bottom of the third, but King countered three innings later in the road half of the sixth. The Rye, NY, native hit a two-out, two-RBI triple to right-cetner to score Parulis and Olivia Mould.

NYU finished the game with the 6-3 victory as Rutgers-Newark put two on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Jacqueline Tremblay relieved King in the seventh and was able to get three outs for her first career save.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

- Rachel Fulton, Jacqueline Finn and Damiani each notched two hits.

- Parulis finished with three RBIs and a run scored.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

- King was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, a triple, a home run, a run scored, and a walk.

- Schmus was 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run.

- Sydni Holtz reached twice on walks.

- Parulis was 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles and an RBI.

"I like where we are. We're getting better every single day," said James. "The young players are growing and the veterans are helping them along. Everything is starting to come together and this is just the tip of the iceberg."