MIDDLESEX SOFTBALL SWEEPS #7 NORTHAMPTON, SHOWDOWN WITH BROOKDALE LOOMS FOR D3 REGION 19 REGULAR SEASON TITLE

Middlesex College softball answered their biggest challenge of the season in a big way, sweeping #7 Northampton CC in a weekend doubleheader to take control of the Region 19 standings heading into the final doubleheader of the season.

Middlesex won Game 1 7-3 and took Game 2, 9-1.

The wins improved Middlesex record to 20-4 on the season. The Colts have now won 17 of their past 18 games. Going into the games, Middlesex sat atop the Region 19 standings with Northampton (16-12) in second.  

In Game 1, Middlesex got off to a great start, scoring two runs in the top of the first and extending their lead to 5-0 with three more in the fourth.

Northampton, like Middlesex, has an explosive offense, so insurance runs from there would be important. The Colts pushed two more runs across in the fifth to take a 7-0 lead.

The Spartans finally broke through with a solo run in the fifth and two more in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough as Middlesex sealed a 7-3 win.

Madison Rackett (Freshman/Woodbridge, NJ) pitched a complete game and allowed just two earned runs in picking up her 9^th win of the season.

The Colts received contributions up and down the lineup offensively with Makenzie Marsh (Freshman/Middlesex, NJ) leading the way. The leadoff hitter went 2-4 with a run and two RBIs.

Rackett went 1-4 and drove home two runs as well.

In Game 2, Middlesex broke open a 1-1 game with a huge sixth inning. After the Spartans took a 1-0 lead in the first, the Colts answered with a run of their own in the third.

The game stayed 1-1 going into the sixth when the Colts bats came alive. Middlesex broke through for eight runs with Simirrah Ortiz (Freshman/Woodbridge, NJ) providing the big hit.

The Colts pushed across a run to take a 2-1 lead. Ortiz came to the plate with runners on second and third and one out.

The third baseman blasted a long home run to left center, her fourth of the season, to extend the Middlesex lead to 5-1.

From there, Middlesex took advantage of a deflated Northampton squad, pushing across four more runs on the way to a win via mercy rule.

Kaylin Nepton (Sophomore/Middlesex, NJ) also had a big day at the plate. The centerfielder went 2-3 with two runs, two RBIs, two stolen bases, a walk and a double.

Marissa Lugo (Sophomore/Iselin, NJ) went 2-3 with a run and Leah Kripaitis (Freshman/Woodbridge, NJ) went 2-3 with a run and a stolen base.

Rackett once again was masterful in the circle, picking up her second win of the day in the circle. The righty threw another complete game, allowing three hits and one earned run.

Middlesex has one Region 19 D3 doubleheader left and that will determine their playoff status. If the Colts sweep Tuesday's home doubleheader against Brookdale, they will clinch the #1 seed in the Region 19 D3 Tournament and host the final four the second weekend in May.

First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30PM.