JERSEY CITY, N.J. (4/2/11) – The Kean University softball team opened New Jersey Athletic Conference action with a sweep of host New Jersey City University in a conference twin-bill on Saturday afternoon.  The Cougars, who have had more than two weeks off since returning from their Spring Break trip due to inclement weather, earned the 7-5 and 6-4 win, as rookie Sandra Binkiewicz was a combined 3-of-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. 

GAME ONE: Binkiewicz, Melchionna Homer in 7-5 Victory

Freshman right fielder Sandra Binkiewicz (pictured left) broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning with a solo homerun in the top of the seventh inning and sophomore Katie Schuh added a RBI single later in the inning for the insurance, as the Cougars pulled out the 7-5 win in the opener.

The Cougars opened up a 5-0 lead through the first five innings, as senior right-hander Courtney Smyth allowed just two hits through the opening five innings.

In the top of the first inning, Kean scored two quick runs when freshman left fielder Megan Cegielski led off with a bunt single, advanced to second a sacrifice bunt by junior Alicia Banz, stole third and score the game's first run on a passed ball.  Binkiewicz walked in the inning and would extend the lead to 2-0 when she scored on the RBI single by freshman designated player Kelly Moorehead. 

After Melchionna extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning with her first homerun of the season, the Cougars added two more runs in the fifth inning when Banz scored on an error and Moorehead added her second RBI single of the game.

NJCU cut the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI double by sophomore Rebecca Satz and would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when they scored four runs on three hits, two hit batters and one bases loaded walk. 

Smyth forced the Gothic Knights into three fly-outs to centerfield in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn her first win of the season with the complete game victory.  She had six strikeouts and allowed just five hits in the win.

Moorehead (pictured right) finished 2-of-3 with two RBI, while Banz added a pair of hits. 

Satz was 1-of-3 with two RBI for the Gothic Knights.

GAME TWO:  Kean Holds Off NJCU to Sweep NJAC Twinbill with 6-4 Win

The Cougars had 10 hits and withstood a 13-hit game by the Gothic Knights, as they held on for the 6-4 win in the nightcap, as Binkiewicz and Melchionna combined for four hits and five RBI.

After NJCU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI single by Satz, the Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when Schuh and Melchionna had back-to-back doubles.

NJCU regained the lead at 2-1 on a RBI double by Satz in the fifth inning  before the Cougars answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 4-2 lead.  Schuh had a RBI groundout to score pinch runner Kelsey Hannan and Melchionna (pictured left) followed with a two-run double to centerfield for the two-run edge. 

An inning later, the Cougars tacked on what proved to be the decisive runs when Binkiewicz doubled to drive in Cegielski and Banz.

In the top of the seventh inning, the first five Gothic Knights reached base, however NJCU could only manage two runs as the Cougars sealed the win the a game-ending groundout.

Melchionna was 2-of-3 with three RBI and Binkiewicz added two hits and two RBI.  Senior catcher Nicole Scarillo and Schuh each added a pair of hits in the win.

Sophomore Kim Prevedel earned the complete game victory, as she allowed just one walk and had two strikeouts.

For the Gothic Knights, Satz was a perfect 4-of-4 with two RBI and one run scored.