PALISADES PARK, N.J. – The Thomas Jefferson University softball team (13-21, 7-13 CACC) had its CACC playoff hopes take a major hit on Saturday, losing both games of a doubleheader at Felician (31-16, 15-7 CACC).
 
GAME ONE – L, 5-4
The Golden Falcons took an early lead with three runs in the first. Felician recorded a two-run, inside-the-park home run and added an RBI double for a 3-0 advantage. Julia Heine got the Rams within one in the second with a two-run single to center.
 
Both teams had runners at first and second with one out in the fourth but could not score. In the fifth, Winnai Hoyt led off with a single and was on third after a pair of groundouts. Ellie Egher then came through with a game-tying single to left. However, the tie was short-lived as the Golden Falcons doubled in a pair of runs with two down in the bottom of the frame to go ahead 5-3.
 
Victoria Juckniewitz drove in a run with a base hit in the sixth to cut the deficit to one (5-4). Felician stranded two in the bottom of the inning and Jefferson had a chance going into the seventh. The first two hitters reached before the next two were retired, leaving runners on first and second with two outs. Annabella Zito hit what looked to be a game-tying single up the middle but the Golden Falcons' center fielder came up with a strong throw to home and the tag was made to end the game in dramatic fashion.
 
Quick Hits
Victoria Juckniewitz: 1-for-3, RBI
Winnai Hoyt: 2-for-4, SB, R
Ellie Egher: 3-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Julia Heine: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Annalise Pudimott: 2-for-2, 2B, R
Remy Smith: 2-for-3, 2B
 
GAME TWO – L, 5-0
The Rams' offense struggled offensively in the nightcap, managing just three hits. Jefferson's best opportunity to score came in the second when the Rams put the first two batters on but came up empty. All five of Felician's runs came in the fifth on a two-run single and a bases-clearing double.
 
Quick Hits
Sam Gomez: 2-for-3
Ellie Egher: 1-for-3
 
NOTES
- Sam Gomez notched her 100^th career hit.
 
CACC PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Rams sit in ninth place in the CACC standings with four games remaining in the regular season. Jefferson is two games back in the win column of Goldey-Beacom for the final spot in the conference tournament. The Rams have two games in hand on the Lightning but Jefferson's tragic number to be eliminated from postseason contention is two as Goldey-Beacom owns the tiebreaker over the Rams.
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson hosts Dominican for Senior Day on Sunday, April 23^rd at 1 p.m.