UNION, N.J. (4/24/12) – The Kean University softball team dropped a pair of close games to #20 William Paterson University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The Pioneers (28-8, 11-5 NJAC) posted a 1-0 win in the opener, before completing the sweep with a 2-0 win in the nightcap over the Cougars (22-16, 9-7 NJAC).
GAME ONE: William Paterson Earns 1-0 Win in Pitchers' Duel
William Paterson plated the game's only run in the top of the seventh inning to post the 1-0 win in the opener, as William Paterson senior Michele Graham and Kean freshman Courtney Yard combined to allow just five hits in the game.
After a scoreless six innings, Pioneer centerfielder Raquel Roder had a one-out double, moved over to third base on the passed ball and scored on the RBI single by first baseman Jessica Phillips with the game-winning run.
Graham (14-3) retired the Cougars in order in the bottom of the seventh to record her third shutout of the season. In the win, she allowed just two hits and no walks, while striking out three.
Yard (16-10) allowed just three hits and one walk, while recording four strikeouts, as she didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning.
For Kean, freshman Maria Scopellito and junior Katie Schuh were 1-of-3.
GAME TWO: William Paterson Completes Sweep with 2-0 Win
The Pioneers scored both runs in the fourth inning, as William Paterson earned the NJAC sweep with the 2-0 win in the nightcap.
William Paterson scored the only runs it would need in the fourth inning, as shortstop Katelyn Miele led the inning off with a double to centerfield. Raquel Roder followed with a single to move Miele to third base and Roder would take second base, advancing on the throw to put runners on second and third with one out. Jessica Phillips brought home Miele with the sacrifice fly and moved Roder to third base, who would score one batter later on the RBI groundout to right field by designated player Rachel Cannata.
The Cougars had threatened in the second inning, as left fielder Sandra Binkiewicz and first baseman Kelly Moorehead had one-out, back-to-back singles, however the Pioneers got out of the inning with a pair of fly-outs to end the threat.
Junior right-hander Kelsey Hand (7-2) earned the win, scattering five hits and no walks with one strikeout. On the losing end, rookie Courtney Yard (16-11) also scattered five hits and struck out three.
In the victory, Miele finished 2-of-3 with one run scored, while Phillips was 1-of-2 with one RBI.
For the Cougars, centerfielder Maria Scopellito (pictured left) was 2-of-3.
Kean hosts Rutgers-Camden in the NJAC doubleheader regular season finale on Saturday, April 28. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
