Smyth Pitches Kean to Split with
MSU
LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (4/24/10) – Junior
right-hander Courtney Smyth pitched a complete-game, three-hit
shutout in the opener, as the Kean University softball team earned
a split with host Montclair State University in New Jersey Athletic
Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars (22-12, 7-7 NJAC) won the opener, 3-0, before
Montclair State (18-14, 6-8 NJAC) earned the 3-2 win the nightcap.
GAME ONE: Smyth Blanks Red Hawks in Opener, 3-0
Junior Courtney Smyth (pictured right) allowed
just three hits as she posted her second-straight complete game
shutout victory with the 3-0 win in the opener.
The Cougars scored the only run they would need in the top of
the first inning when junior left fielder Lindsay
Kennedy led off with a walk, advanced to second on a
sacrifice bunt by sophomore Alicia Banz and scored
on the RBI single by junior designated player Katie
Yard for the 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Cougars tacked on a pair of
insurance runs on a double by senior right-fielder Allison
Lizzi, scoring Kennedy and Banz for the 3-0
advantage.
Smyth (10-7) struck out six Red Hawks and allowed just two
walks, as she retired five of the final six batters and 14 of the
final 16 batters in the game.
Yard and Lizzi each finished 2-of-4, while Kennedy was 1-of-3
with two runs scored.
GAME TWO: Montclair State Defeats Kean in Nightcap,
3-2
Montclair State scored one run in the top of the third inning to
break a 2-2 tie and defeat the Cougars in the nightcap, 3-2.
The Red Hawks took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, taking
advantage of three hits and a one Cougars error to score the
unearned runs.
Kean responded in the bottom of the second inning with a pair of
runs to tie the game. After junior first baseman
Katie Yard (pictured left) led off with a single
and advanced to second base on the sacrifice bunt by senior pitcher
Cassie Shotwell, Yard scored when rookie
Katie Zolli reached on an error. Senior
designated player Allison Thibault singled to move
Zolli into scoring position, and senior centerfielder
Melissa Dietrich followed with the RBI single to
drive in Zolli to tie the game.
In the top of the third inning, the Red Hawks scored the
go-ahead run when freshman Jamie Paulino had an RBI single
for the final run of the game in the 3-2 win.
For the Cougars, Thibault finished 2-of-3 at the plate.
Shotwell (12-5) suffered the loss on the mound, surrendering just
five hits and one earned run, while striking out seven.
The Cougars host Ramapo College in NJAC action on Tuesday, April
27.
