Middle Innings Propel #8 TCNJ Past Kean in Doubleheader

UNION, N.J. (4/6/10) – The Kean University softball team dropped two games to #8 The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Tuesday afternoon.  The Lions (17-3, 4-0 NJAC) won 10-2 and 3-1 over the Cougars (11-7, 1-3 NJAC) to remain undefeated in the conference.

GAME ONE: Lions Win Opener 10-2

The College of New Jersey scored eight of its runs in the middle innings to pull away from the host Cougars, 10-2, in the opener, as the Lions scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and added two runs in the sixth. 

Leading 1-0, TCNJ senior shortstop Ellen Seavers led off the fourth inning with a double and would later score on a RBI single by sophomore designated player Katelyn Congilose.  The Lions would extend the lead to 4-0 after RBI singles from both sophomore catcher Michelle Kent and sophomore right fielder Rebecca Florczyk.

TCNJ added three more runs in the fifth inning on a three-run homerun by senior centerfielder Danielle Hagel, before scoring two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.

The Cougars were able to scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, when junior first baseman Katie Yard (pictured right) singled to centerfield to drive in freshman right fielder Katie Schuh and junior left fielder Lindsay Kennedy, who single and doubled, respectively, to lead off the inning.

Seavers was 4-of-5 with three runs scored, while Hagel drove in four runs for the Lions.

On the mound, senior right-hander Ashley Minervini (8-2) scattered five hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven.

For the Cougars, Kennedy  was 2-of-3.

GAME TWO: Late Runs Lift TCNJ Past Kean, 3-1

The College of New Jersey scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to erase a 1-0 deficit and sweep the NJAC doubleheader from the Cougars.

Kean got on the board early in the first inning with back-to-back doubles, as left fielder Lindsay Kennedy (pictured left)had her second double of the afternoon and would score on a double by sophomore shortstop Alicia Banz for the 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, TCNJ shortstop Ellen Seavers dropped a ball in between second base and right field for a double and after advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Danielle Hagel, Seavers scored on a RBI single by junior first baseman Caitlyn Seamster to tie the game.

TCNJ took the lead an inning later when sophomore left fielder Crystal Lee led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by rookie Ashley Sogluizzo and would beat the throw home on an RBI fielder's choice by freshman third baseman Kelly Hommen.

The Lions tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on a RBI double by Lee.

On the mound, TCNJ sophomore right-hander Lauren Fitzsimmons struck out 10 Cougars and allowed just three hits, including just one hit in the final six innings of work, to earn the complete game win and remain undefeated at 9-0. 

Lee was 3-of-3 with the two doubles, while Seaver and Seamster each added two hits.

For the Cougars, Kennedy was 1-of-3 with one run scored and Banz was 1-of-3 with one RBI.  Junior Courtney Smyth (5-4) went the distance, scattering eight hits and striking out six Lions in the loss.

The Cougars travel to Lebanon Valley College for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 8.