WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. – A walkoff two-run home run by Felician University sophomore shortstop Mia Martinez (Bronx, N.Y./Ursuline School) capped the Golden Falcons' comeback from a 7-0 sixth-inning deficit for an 8-7 victory over visiting Holy Family University in Game 1 of the teams' Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference softball doubleheader on Saturday evening at the Wood-Ridge Athletics Complex. Backed by a four-hitter from senior pitcher Martarina Crumb (Branchville, N.J./Sussex Tech), Felician also captured Game 2, 6-1.

Senior center fielder Jaylene Sierra (Jersey City, N.J./Ferris) was 4 for 8 on the day for the Golden Falcons (7-10, 5-5 CACC). Holy Family senior third baseman Elaina Hansen (Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview Regional) hit a home run in each game.

The Tigers (8-19, 3-3) opened the day's scoring on a two-run single by Emma Clayborne (Ambler, Pa./Wissahocken) in the top of the third inning of the opener. Hansen blasted a three-run homer in the fifth, and the Tigers eventually scored five runs on seven hits in the frame for a 7-0 edge. HFU, however, stranded a potential eighth run on third base which could have led to an early end to the contest.

The Golden Falcons left six runners over the first four innings before being set down in order in the fifth. But in the sixth with two on, Felician sandwiched a hit batsman with four two-out hits. Madeline Layman (Meridian, Idaho/Mountain View) drove in the hosts' first run, Johanna Rivera (Cliffside Park, N.J./Mount St. Dominic Academy) singled to load the bases, Alexis Velotta (Menifee, Calif./Paloma Valley) was plunked to force in a run, and all the runners moved up on a Sierra single. A three-run double by Daisha Howard (Westbury, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) then pulled Felician to within 7-6.

Howard was left on base, but Golden Falcon junior right-hander Alexis De La Cruz (San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto) (4-5) worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the seventh. Following a pitching change, Victorie Leon (Sylmar, Calif./Discover Prep Charter) drew a leadoff walk in the home half of the seventh, and Martinez followed with a fly ball over the fence just left of center field to complete the comeback. Sierra was 3 for 4 for Felician, as was Clayborne for Holy Family.

Crumb (2-5) struck out a career-high eight batters with no walks in a complete-game effort in the nightcap. Felician was also aided by six Tiger errors.

Felician's first three runs came on sacrifice flies – by Vienna Chierchia (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) in the first inning and both Howard and Leon in the third. Hansen homered off the scoreboard in right-center field with one out in the fourth, but that was the only blemish on Crumb's line. Rivera lined an RBI double in the fourth, and the Golden Falcons brought home unearned runs during the fifth and sixth frames.

Krystina Lorch (Hemet, Calif./West Valley) was 2 for 3 and scored twice for Felician.

Felician is home again on Sunday to take on American International College in a non-conference doubleheader at noon.