Softball Falls One Win Shy of World Series

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (5/17/10) – The magical run of the Kean University softball team came to an end one win shy of a trip to the World Series, as Moravian College defeated the Cougars, 5-0, to win the Providence Regional of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. 

The streaking Cougars (32-17) lost their first game of the Regionals before winning their next three games to avoid elimination and force the decisive winner-take-all championship game.

The 32 wins by the Cougars are the second most in school history, as Kean made its sixth appearance in the NCAA tournament and second in the last three seasons after capturing the program's first New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship a week ago.    

Much like yesterday's 2-0 win by Kean over the Greyhounds, both squads played the first four innings of the game to a scoreless tie.  However today, it was the Greyhounds who were able to break through with the decisive runs. 

With runners on first and second after a fielder's choice and walk, Moravian freshman shortstop Katie Gross had a two-out single to centerfield to bring in rookie catcher Tori Thomas with the first run of the game and freshman third baseman Shannen Mohr followed with a two-run single to right field to extend the lead to 3-0.   

The Greyhounds tacked on two more insurance runs in the sixth inning on a run-scoring single by Thomas and a bases-loaded walk by Fross.

Sophomore pitcher Jenna Carmon (25-9) allowed five hits and struck out five Cougars in the game, as she finished the tournament 4-0 with a 0.96 ERA. 

For the Cougars, senior Cassie Shotwell (19-9) surrendered just three earned runs on eight hits, as she closes out her career ranked fourth on the single season wins charts (19) and second in single season strikeouts (144). 

Shotwell added one of the team's five hits, as senior Allison Thibault also added a hit in her final intercollegiate game. 

2010 NCAA Softball Tournament Providence Regional All-Tournament Team

Catcher: Taylor Zavadsky, Wesleyan University
First Base: Amanda Dizinno, Moravian College
Second Base: Ashley Sugluizzo, The College of New Jersey
Third Base: Shannen Mohr, Moravian College
Shortstop: Kim Kirkpatrick, Neumann University
Outfield: Crystal Lee, The College of New Jersey
Outfield: Amanda Paulus, Moravian College
Outfield: Danielle Hagel, The College of New Jersey
Pitcher: Jenna Carmon, Moravian College
Pitcher: Cassie Shotwell, Kean University
Designated Player: Caitlyn Seamster, The College of New Jersey
At-Large: Allison Thibault, Kean University
At-Large: Courtney Melchionna, Kean University
At-Large: Katie Gross, Moravian College
At-Large: Kelly Hommen, The College of New Jersey