Hedler Breaks All-Time Runs Record in Cougar Split

BELLPORT, N.Y. (4/20/08) - Senior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) drove in three runs and scored twice to become the Kean University all-time leader in runs scored, as the Cougar softball team earned a split with St. Joseph's College (L.I.) in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.

After the Cougars (25-7) dropped the opener in extra innings (2-1), Hedler (pictured right)was 2-of-4, while rookie Courtney Smyth (Abington, Pa.) allowed just two hits in the complete game shutout with the 8-0, five inning victory in the nightcap over the Golden Eagles (25-5).

GAME ONE: Shotwell Strikes Out Career-High Nine in Defeat

In the opener, the Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, as senior Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) singled to lead off the inning and later scored when senior Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) reached on an error.

The Golden Eagles tied the game in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a Kean error, and plated the game-winning run in the bottom of the eight inning on a RBI single.

Sophomore designated player Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) was 2-of-3, and sophomore centerfielder Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) added one hit.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen, N.J.) suffered the tough loss after striking out a career-high nine batters.

Reigning Lousville Slugger/NFCA Division III Player of the Week Jennifer Martinez (Bay Shore, N.Y.) improved to 23-2 this season with the complete game victory, striking out 11 batters and allowing just four hits.

GAME TWO: Hedler, Smyth Pace Cougars in 8-0 Shutout

Kean jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning and scored in each of the next three innings en-route to the 8-0, five-inning victory. 

Senior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) started the inning off with a single and would later score on a RBI single by sophomore Allison Lizzi before senior shortstop Johanna Hedler delivered the big hit with a two-out double to score Lizzi and junior Nikki Castagno (Staten Island, N.Y.).  Hedler closed out the scoring in the inning to tie the program record of 113 career runs set by Tracy Burkhart (1992-95). 

Senior Kara Schultz tripled in Lanza in the third inning and Hedler broke the career runs record in the fourth, scoring on a RBI single by junior left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.).

The Cougars added two more runs in the fifth inning to seal the eight-run victory.

Lanza and Lizzi each finished 2-of-3 with two runs scored, while Lizzi added one RBI. 

On the mound, freshman right-hander Courtney Smyth (13-3) (pictured left) went the distance, striking out four batters, while only allowing two hits.

Kean returns to New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Tuesday afternoon, traveling to Richard Stockton College for a doubleheader.  First-pitch is set for 3 p.m.