Softball Blanks Baruch in Doubleheader Sweep

HILLSIDE, N.J. (3/29/07) - The Kean University softball team posted a pair of 10-0 shutout victories over Baruch College in non-conference softball action on Thursday afternoon.  In their home opener, the Cougars (12-2) took advantage of 11 Bearcat (2-4) errors and allowed just seven hits between the two games

GAME ONE: Gieke, Homeruns Lift Cougars Past Baruch, 10-0

Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) allowed just two hits and had nine strikeouts and junior infielders Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) and Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) each homered to right field, as the Cougars defeated Baruch College, 10-0, in the opener.

The Cougars jumped out to the early 2-0 lead, as sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) had a two-run double to centerfield to drive in Hedler and sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.), who both reached on errors.

Hedler hit her first homerun of the season in the bottom of the second inning, as she had a two-run shot over the right field fence to give the Cougars the 4-0 edge.

Kean added four more runs in the third inning before Schultz homered to right field to close out the scoring with a two-run homerun.

Gierke was perfect through three and two-thirds innings before freshman Melissa Pena (Queens, N.Y.) singled the left side to break up the perfect game.  Gierke improved to 7-0 with her third shutout of the season.

At the plate, Schultz and Steinman each had two hits, two runs scored and two RBI, while Gierke also had a pair of RBI to help her own cause.

For the Bearcats, senior pitcher Ally Stamatiades (Astoria, N.Y.) had one strikeout in the losing effort. 

GAME TWO: Six Run Second Propels Cougars Past Baruch, 10-0

Junior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) earned the complete game victory with three strikeouts and nine different Cougars recorded a hit to close out the doubleheader sweep with a 10-0 shutout in the nightcap.

The Bearcats threatened to score a couple runs in the top of the first inning with runners on second and third base with no outs, however Hennings forced three straight groundouts to get out of the jam. 

In the bottom half of the first, Kean scored a pair of runs, as junior centerfielder Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.) tripled to right field to score juniors Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) and Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.).

The Cougars broke the game open in the second inning, as Hennings led the inning off with a double and would eventually score on an error.  Junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) had an RBI double and sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) drove in a pair of runs with a triple to centerfield in the inning. 

Kean added two more runs in the fourth inning, taking advantage of three hits and two errors.

On the mound, Hennings improved to 4-1 this season, as she allowed five hits for the five-inning complete game victory. 

For the Bearcats, freshman pitcher Melissa Mejia (Queens, N.Y.) had one strikeout in the losing effort.  Senior centerfielder Ally Stamatiades (Astoria, N.Y.) was 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, March 31, when they open New Jersey Athletic Conference play with a home doubleheader against Rowan University at 1 p.m.