Softball Splits with Carthage

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/16/09) - In its first day of action at the Rebel Spring Games, the Kean University softball team split with Carthage College in a doubleheader Monday afternoon. 

GAME ONE: Carthage Blanks Cougars, 5-0

In the opener, Carthage (2-2) scored in each of the first three innings, capitalizing on seven hits and two Cougar errors to take a 4-0 lead after the third inning.  The Lady Reds took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-RBI single by junior Steph Noel (Homer Glen, Ill.).

Carthage later added single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to extend the lead to 5-0. 

Junior Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen, N.J.) recorded the Cougars' lone hit, a double to right-centerfield in the seventh inning.

GAME TWO: Kean Rebounds in Nightcap, 1-0

Junior right-handed pitcher Cassie Shotwell (pictured right) picked up her second win of the season and scored the game's lone run, as the Cougars rebounded for a 1-0 victory over Carthage in the nightcap. 

Shotwell worked a two-out walk, before junior Katie Yard (Hillsborough, N.J.) and senior Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases.  Senior right-fielder Nikki Castagno (Staten Island, N.Y.) then reached on an error by the shortstop to score Shotwell for the 1-0 lead. 

The Lady Reds threatened in the top of the fifth inning with runners on second and third with two outs, however Shotwell forced a groundout to Steinman to end the inning. 

Shotwell went the distance, allowing just four hits while striking out six batters.

The Cougars (3-3) return to action on Tuesday, March 17, when they take on St. Norbert College (11 a.m.) and Allegheny College (3 p.m.).