Kean Falls to MSU in NJAC Tourney, 6-0

GLASSBORO, N.J. - The Kean University softball team bowed out of the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament, falling to Montclair State University, 6-0, on Friday morning, at Rowan University Softball Complex.

Junior right-hander Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen, N.J.) was 2-of-3 at the plate for Kean (19-19), while Montclair State junior Elia Persico (Marlton, N.J.) earned the complete game shutout for the Red Hawks (24-16).

Montclair State plated three runs in the top of the first inning, as junior right fielder Kelly Nance (Marlboro, N.J.) and sophomore catcher Kacie Neuroter (Wayne, N.J.) each had RBI singles and junior second baseman Megan Durkin (West Orange, N.J.) had a RBI bases-loaded walk.

After the Red Hawks extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the third inning on a Cougar error, Kean threatened in the bottom of the fourth, opening the inning with back-to-back singles by junior centerfielder Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) (pictured right) and Shotwell.  However, the Red Hawks escaped the threat to keep the Cougars off the scoreboard.

The Red Hawks scored two more times in the sixth inning on a RBI fielder's choice by Nance and a sacrifice fly by junior first baseman Amanda Livsey (Congers, N.Y.).

On the mound, Shotwell allowed six hits and six walks, while striking out two Red Hawks.  Lizzi, sophomore left fielder Lindsay Kennedy (Parsippany, N.J.), sophomore first baseman Katie Yard (Hillsborough, N.J.) (pictured left) and junior designated plater Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) each went 1-of-3 for Kean.

Persico picked up her second straight complete game shutout over the Cougars this season, as she scattered six hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Freshman shortstop Shannon Mozek (Wayne, N.J.) was 2-of-4 with one run scored.  Nance finished 1-of-4 with two RBI and one run scored.

The Cougars await a possible bid to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Metro Region tournament, with selections being announced Monday morning.