SOFTBALL CRUISES IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP

GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. (3/28/07) - Right-handed pitchers Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) and Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) each pitched five-hit complete game victories and sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) had a pair of homeruns, as the Kean University softball swept Gwynedd-Mercy College on Wednesday afternoon. 

In their first action in 12 days, the Cougars (10-2) had a combined 24 hits in the two victories over the Griffins (0-4). 

GAME ONE: Steinman Homers Twice in 12-1 Victory

Sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) was 3-for-5 with a pair of homeruns and the Cougars broke open the game with six runs in the seventh inning to take the opener, 12-1.

The Cougars got on the board in the second inning when junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) had a bunt single to score junior centerfielder Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.). 

 After scoring a pair of runs in the fourth inning, Steinman led the fifth inning off with her second long ball of the season to build the 4-0 lead.  The Cougars added two more runs in the sixth before exploding for six runs in the seventh inning.  Steinman added her second homerun of the game, a two run shot to left-centerfield to close out the scoring.

In the victory, junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.), sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) and Hicks each had two hits and combined for five runs scored and four RBI.  On the mound, sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) earned the complete game victory, as she had nine strikeouts and allowed five hits and one run.

GAME TWO: Six-Run First Inning Lifts Kean Past Gwynedd-Mercy, 10-1

Sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) was 3-for-4 with runs scored and two RBI and junior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI, as the Cougars swept the Griffins with the 10-1 five-inning victory in the nightcap.

The Cougars jumped out early, scoring five runs before the Griffins recorded an out.  Junior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) helped her own cause with a two-run single  through the right side, and Schultz and junior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) each had an RBI single in the inning.

The Griffins got a run back in the second inning, however the Cougars added one run in the fourth and three in the fifth to close out the game in five innings. 

Hennings went the distance on the mound, as she improved to 3-1 after allowed five hits with two strikeouts.

At the plate, junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, while Lanza and Hennings were each 1-for-2 with two RBI. 

The Cougars have their home opener on Thursday, March 29, when they host Baruch College in non-conference action at 3:30 p.m.