NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 11, 2025) -- On the opening day of the 2025 season, the King's College softball team battled through their first two contests, falling to New Jersey City University 8-5 before toppling Mississippi University for Women 2-1 in the night cap. The Monarchs move to 1-1 to start their 2025 campaign.
 
vs. NJCU – L, 5-8:
It was a slow start as NJCU (4-1) recorded three hits and the Monarchs had none over the first two frames. The Gothic Knights did their damage in the contest, scoring seven runs on five hits and capitalizing on three King's (0-1) miscues to hold a commanding 7-0 lead after the top of the third.
 
The Monarchs answered in the bottom of the inning as Kara Krouse double to left center and scored on a triple to left center from Colleen Shuler. An NJCU error brought in Shuler to inch within 7-2 after three frames.
 
Another two quick innings by both teams set up the sixth where NJCU tacked on an insurance run. King's again responded, scoring a pair as Harley Sullivan reached on an error to lead off the inning, moved up a base on a fielder's choice and then another on a wild pitch before scoring on a ground out by Ellie Higdon. Jess Perella also worked her way around the diamond and came home on a single through the left side by Paige Bergan to make it an 8-4 game entering the final inning of action.
 
A quick three-up-three-down inning that did not see the ball leave the infield put the bats back in the Monarchs' hands in the bottom of the seventh. A Gothic Knights error allowed Krouse to reach safely when she promptly stole second to put a runner in scoring position with one out. Another fielding error brought home Krouse, but the NJCU defense stifled the comeback efforts as King's dropped their opener, 8-5, on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Krouse led the way with a hit, a stolen base, and two runs scored, while Shuler had a hit, a run, and an RBI. Bergan recorded a hit and an RBI as well to round out the team effort. Courtney Grogan picked up the loss as the starter, striking out three and giving up just one earned run through 2.2 innings of work, while Madisyn vonFrisch threw well in relief, allowing just one earned run on four hits while fanning three.
 
Emily Cammarata led NJCU with two hits and two runs, while Jordan Mendolla had a pair of hits, two RBIs, and a run with a double. Danika Borza went the distance in the circle in the win, allowing two earned runs on three hits.
 
vs. MUW – W, 2-1:
The night cap was a different story as the Monarchs jumped on the Owls defense, scoring in the top of the first. Sullivan worked a two-out walk and came around to score on a hit by Higdon to put King's (1-1) ahead, 1-0, early. MUW (8-5) put their first two batters on base, but the Monarchs defense settled in to prevent an early score from their foes.
 
King's had a hit in each of their next two innings but could not capitalize before the Owls knotted the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the third behind a lead off single and two timely bunts.
 
MUW had two hits to one by King's over the next three innings to set up the thrilling finish in the defensive standoff. Megan Matsko singled through the right side to lead off the top of the seventh for King's and scored on a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa Fox and an overthrow by the Owls defense. MUW stopped any further attempts by King's in the seventh, but Emily Novicki and her defense took care of business, not allowing a runner to make it past first base and striking the final batter out looking to secure the 2-1 win on opening day.
 
Sullivan and Matsko each had a hit and a run in the win, and Meghan Marianelli hit a double to lead the King's offense. Novicki earned her first win of the season, throwing the complete game and giving up one unearned run on four hits, striking out six, and recording zero walks.
 
Chloe McClain led the Owls with two hits. Avery Byerley was awarded her first loss of the season as she let up two runs on six hits.
 
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The Monarchs return o action tomorrow morning as they take on Mitchell College at 11:00 a.m. and Penn State Altoona at 3:00 p.m. both at the Central Park Sports Complex on Field 1.