Softball Rebounds in Split with
LVC
UNION, N.J. (4/9/09) - Kean
University exploded for 12 runs on 11 hits in the nightcap of a
non-conference doubleheader against Lebanon Valley College, as the
Cougars split against the Flying Dutchmen.
LVC (20-8) won the opener, 4-0, before the Cougars (13-13)
rebounded in the nightcap with the 11-3 victory.
GAME ONE: Cougars Fall in Opener,
4-0
Lebanon Valley junior third baseman Allie Davies (Colmar,
Pa.) hit a second-inning solo homerun and the Cougars stranded
10 runners on base, as the Flying Dutchmen won the opener, 4-0.
After a scoreless first inning, Davies drilled a one-out homerun
over the left field fence to give Lebanon Valley the only run they
would need.
The Cougars threatened in the third inning, with runners on
first and third with one out. Junior Cassie Shotwell
(Dunellen, N.J.) led off with a double to right center,
and after being replaced by pinch runner Sarah Hamm
(Hackettstown, N.J.), junior designated player
Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) followed one
batter later with an infield single to put runners on the corners
with one out. The Flying Dutchmen got out of the inning with
a Cougar strikeout and fly out to preserve the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, LVC tacked on a pair of unearned
runs, as a passed ball on what appeared to be an inning-ending
strikeout allowed freshman second baseman Kristen Palmerio
(Norristown, Pa.) to score from home and senior Katie
DeJulio (Vineland, N.J.) later scored on a wild pitch for the
3-0 advantage.
Kean left the bases loaded in each of the fifth and sixth
innings, as sophomore right-hander Val Malizzia (Churchville,
Pa.) pitched the Dutchmen out of the jams.
The Flying Dutchmen added the fourth run in the top of the sixth
inning when freshman Steph Hulme (Stratford, N.J.) had an
RBI single.
Malizzia earned the complete game shutout victory, striking out
nine batters while scattering seven hits. At the plate, Hulme
had two hits, while Davies was 1-of-2 with one run scored and one
RBI.
For the Cougars, Shotwell (6-6) (pictured right) suffered the
loss despite striking out seven and allowing just one earned run
and one walk, while also going 2-of-2 with a walk at the plate.
Senior catcher Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp.,
N.J.) and Thibault each added two hits for the Cougars.
GAME TWO: Kean Rebounds in Nightcap for 11-3
Victory
The Cougars plated five runs in the second inning to erase a 2-0
deficit and scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to
defeat Lebanon Valley, 11-3, in five innings in the nightcap.
Sophomore left-fielder Lindsay Kennedy (Parsippany,
N.J.), first baseman Katie Yard (Hillsborough,
N.J.) and senior Sara Steinman 
(Springfield, N.J.) each recorded multi-hit games for the
Cougars, while sophomore Jess Mattos (Carteret,
N.J.) picked up the win in relief..
Trailing 2-0 after the first inning, the Cougars took the lead
for good in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on three
hits and two LVC errors.
After Steinman reached on an error to lead off the inning,
junior centerfielder Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill,
N.J.) was hit by a pitch and they would each move into
scoring position on the sacrifice bunt by Mattos. Yard
doubled to drive in Steinman and cut the LVC lead in half.
LVC recorded the first out of the inning and junior Allison
Thibault walked to load the bases for senior Jesse
Buchanan (pictured left), who followed with an infield RBI
single from the left side of the plate to tie the game.
One batter later, Kennedy drove in a pair of runs with a RBI
single which also allowed Buchanan to scored from first after a
throwing error to the plate got by the catcher, giving the Cougars
the 5-2 lead.
With darkness closing in, the Flying Dutchmen got one run back
in the top of the third inning on a RBI single up the middle by
freshmen pitcher Kristen Palmerio.
The Cougars closed out the game with six runs in the fifth
inning, as Steinman led off the inning with a single through the
left side and closed out the game with a bases loaded double
off the centerfield fence to score the final two game-ending
runs. In the inning, Lizzi also had a two-run homerun and
Kennedy (pictured right) added a RBI single through the left
side.
In the top of the first inning, Lebanon Valley opened the game
with three straight singles en-route to taking the 2-0 lead.
Mattos (3-1) earned the win, scattering four hits and two walks in
four and two-thirds innings of relief, as she allowed just one run
with five strikeouts.
Kennedy and Steinman each drove in three runs, while Lizzi
(pictured left) had two RBI and two runs scored.
For LVC, junior first baseman Kristen Uhas (Pottstown, Pa.) was
2-of-2 with one RBI and one run scored.
The Cougars return to New Jersey Athletic Conference action on
Saturday, April 11, when they host conference-leader and
17th ranked Rowan University in a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
