Softball Splits NJAC Opener with #24 Rowan
GLASSBORO, N.J. (3/29/08) - Senior shortstop
Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.)
was 4-of-8 with three RBI to help lead the Kean University softball
team to a doubleheader split with No. 24 Rowan University in the
New Jersey Athletic Conference opener on Saturday afternoon.
Hedler drove in the game-winning run in the nightcap, giving the
Cougars (14-2, 1-1 NJAC) the 4-3, nine-inning victory. In the
opener, Rowan (17-3, 1-1 NJAC) earned the 10-3 victory behind a
strong pitching performance from junior Jackie Sasko (Hamilton,
N.J.).
GAME ONE: Rowan Wins NJAC Opener with 10-3
Victory (boxscore)
Senior Johanna Hedler finished 2-of-3 with two
RBI, however it could not offset the complete game victory by Rowan
right-hander Jackie Sasko.
Rowan tallied all 10 of its runs in the first four innings,
scoring four runs apiece in the second and third innings to break
the game open.
Hedler had a RBI walk in the top of the second inning to tie the
game at 1-1, before the Profs answered with four runs in the bottom
half of the inning.
At the plate for the Cougars, sophomore centerfielder
Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) (pictured left)
added a pair of hits, while juniors Sara Steinman
(Springfield, N.J.) and Nikki Castagno (Staten
Island, N.Y.) each added one hit and one run scored.
On the mound for the Cougars, rookie Courtney Smyth
(Abington, Pa.) suffered her first loss of the season
(6-1), allowing eight hits and five earned runs.
Sophomore catcher Stephanie Taraschi (Mt. Ephrain,
N.J.) was a perfect 4-of-4 with two RBI to lead the Prof
attack, while junior centerfielder Kristina Brenner (Vineland,
N.J.) added a pair of hits and three runs scored.
Sasko (9-1) went the distance, striking out nine batters, to win
her ninth game of the year.
GAME TWO: Hedler, Hennings Lead Kean to
Extra-Innings Victory (boxscore)
Senior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson,
N.J.) went the distance, earning the complete-game victory
as the Cougars won the nightcap in the bottom of the ninth inning
with the 4-3 victory.
Tied at one after seven innings, Rowan designated player
Jackie Sasko had a two-run homerun in the top of the
eighth inning to give the Profs the 3-1 lead.
The Cougars responded in the bottom half of the inning when
junior second baseman Sara Steinman led off the
inning with a RBI double to drive in junior Jesse Buchanan
(Washington Twp., N.J.), who started the inning on second
base due to the international tie breaker rule. Steinman
would later score on an error following a single by senior first
baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) to tie
the game and force another inning.
The Cougars held Rowan in the top of the ninth, and after
sophomore Allison Lizzi sacrificed 
classmate Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.)
(pictured right) over to third, senior Johanna
Hedler drove in Thibault to earn the NJAC split
Rowan took the early 1-0 lead, scoring in the first inning when
junior Kristina Brenner led off with a single and scored
on a double by senior Kristin Wallace (Glassboro,
N.J.). Kean tied the game two innings later when Lizzi
scored on the sacrifice fly by senior Kara Schultz
(Clinton, N.J.).
Hennings scattered 10 hits and allowed just one walk, while
striking out three batters to improve to 2-1 this season.
Hedler was the lone Cougar to record a multi-hit game, while
Steinman finished 1-of-3 with one run scored and one RBI.
