BETHLEHEM, Pa. (4/5/12) – The Kean
University softball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions to
host Moravian College in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday
afternoon. The Greyhounds (17-7) posted a 1-0 win in the
opener, before closing out the sweep over the Cougars (12-8) with a
5-4 victory in eight innings.
GAME ONE: Greyhounds Plate Game's Lone Run in
Fifth Inning
Rookie right-hander Courtney Yard allowed just
three hits and one walk, however the 
Greyhounds were able to score the game's lone run in the
bottom of the fifth inning following back-to-back, two-out
doubles.
The Cougars had a runner in scoring position in three of the
first five innings of a scoreless game, however were unable to
bring the run around. Junior third baseman Courtney
Melchionna doubled to lead off the second inning, but was
stranded at third base in the Cougars best scoring
opportunity.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Greyhounds were able to
take the 1-0 lead when freshman Jenn Dalickas doubled down
the left field line with two outs and scored on the double down the
right field line by junior Amanda Dizinno.
For the Cougars, Melchionna (pictured left) finished 2-of-2 to
account for half of Kean's hits.
Yard (9-3) went the distance, scattering just three hits, while
striking out two.
Senior Jenna Carmon struck out eight in the
complete-game victory.
GAME TWO: Cougars Fall in Extra Innings,
5-4
The Cougars tied the game at 3-3 with a pair of seventh-inning
runs and were able to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth
inning, however Moravian answered with a pair in the bottom half of
the eighth for the 5-4 win in the nightcap.
Moravian took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning
after sophomore designated player Cassie Ernst led off
with a double and freshman Bryanna Gifford pinch-ran for
her. Junior Shannen Mohr put runners on the corners
with a single, before Jenn Dalickas scored Gifford with
the sacrifice fly. Sophomore catcher Taylor Mihalik
followed with the RBI triple down the right field line to drive in
Mohr.
I
n the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars cut the lead in half
with a solo homerun to centerfield by senior shortstop
Alicia Banz.
The Greyhounds got the run back in the bottom half of the
inning, Dalickas drove in pinch runner Alycia Sabol with
the RBI single.
An inning later, the Cougars tied the game with a pair of
runs. Rookie center fielder Maria Scopellito
led off with a single and trimmed the lead to 3-2, as she scored on
the pinch-hit double from sophomore Kelly
Moorehead. After an intentional walk to Banz
(pictured left), freshman pinch hitter Julie Braun connected with
her first career hit, an RBI single to score junior pinch runner
Kelsey Hannan.
Kean opened the top of the eighth inning with freshman pinch
runner Cat Riechers at second base, and after a
wild pitch moved her over to third base, sophomore Sandra
Binkiewicz followed with the sacrifice fly to score
Riechers for the 4-3 lead.
Ernst opened the bottom half of the Greyhounds' eighth
inning on second base and moved over to third base on the passed
ball, before tying the game on the RBI single by Mohr.
Moravian would eventually load the bases when left fielder Dior
George was hit by a pitch to score Mohr with the game-winning
run.
Moravian's 11-hit attack was led by Mohr, who finished
3-of-4, while Dalickas was 2-of-3. Freshman Lizzie
Mack earned the victory after tossing the final one and a
third innings.
Junior second basceman Katie Schuh finished
with a pair of hits for the Cougars.
The Cougars travel to Richard Stockton College for a New Jersey
Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 7.
