SALISBURY, Md. (5/14/11) – The Kean University 2011 softball season came to a close in the NCAA Salisbury Regional on Saturday afternoon, as the Cougars fell to Shenandoah University, 6-1, in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament.

Shenandoah (32-16) scored all six of its runs in the bottom of the third inning to advance to face Rowan University for the second time in the last three days later. 

The Cougars (17-27) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as freshman Megan Cegielski (pictured left) slapped a one-out single to left field and would score three batters later on the RBI single up the middle by sophomore third baseman Courtney Melchionna.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Hornets capitalized on seven hits and two Cougars errors to plate six runs. 

Shortstop Heather Sink drove in the go-ahead run with a RBI groundout and left fielder Megan Coble later followed with a two-run double to right-center field, as the Hornets built the five-run advantage.

The Cougars loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning but were unable to bring the runs across and right-hander Brooke Over retired the Cougars in order in the top of the seventh to advance Shenandoah. 

Cegielski finished 2-of-4 with one run scored and finished the season batting .392 in her rookie campaign.  Left fielder Sandra Binkiewicz finished with one hit, giving her a team-high 50 hits this season, while Melchionna added one hit and one RBI.

Senior right-hander Courtney Smyth went the distance for the Cougars in her final career game.  She closes out her career tied for second in school history with 41 wins and second with 297 career strikeouts. 

The Cougars make their seventh appearance in the NCAA tournament and second straight trip after winning back-to-back New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships.