It proved to be a tough battle throughout Monday's doubleheader as the host Roadrunners and visiting Brookdale fought to the finish to see who would emerge with bragging rights for the Garden State Athletic Conference softball championship.

The Jersey Blues had the edge for most of the afternoon thanks to a 5-0 Game 1 win, but that advantage was short lived.

Game 2 went extra innings with Natalie Pogorzelski ending the contest with a clutch single to left field to drive home the winning run for a 4-3 triumph in 9 innings.

Natalie's clutch walk-off hit enabled the Roadrunners to gain the much-needed split. The Jersey Blues held a two-run lead at one point in extra innings before RCSJ's bats came alive to grab the win.

With the game tied 3-3 and a runner stationed at second base, Pogorzelski made a perfect connection with a pitch down the middle of the plate, sending it into left field to score the run and settle the outcome.

"I saw it all the way and was able to get a good swing on it," she said. "This felt good to help the team out in this type of game. We've had such a great season and this win was a big one for all of us."

The win was aided by a solid effort by starting pitcher Bridgett Levandoski, who scattered three hits over 7 1/3 innungs. Anna Hargraves came on in relief in extra innings to pick up the win.

Both teams finished with identical 24-2 records within the conference as the Region 19 tournament lies ahead in the postseason. The Runners, who are 32-6 overall, will face Northampton Community College in doubleheader at home Thursday. The first pitch for Game 1 is 3 pm. The matchups will be the final home games in the 32-year career of veteran coach Steve DePasquale, who announced his retirement earlier this spring.

See photo highlights below:
https://rcsjphotos.smugmug.com/GCC-SPORTS/Softball/Softball-vs-Brookdale-42726/n-64xZQQ