GLASSBORO, N.J. (5/7/16) – The Kean University softball team fell 7-3 in the second round of the NJAC Tournament to Stockton University. Junior Dana Knapp hit a three-run homerun in the first  to score all three Cougar runs.

After Shannon McMahon set the Ospreys down in order in the top of the first, Kean staged a textbook Earl Weaver rally in the home half of the inning.

Olivia Zengel led off with a slap single through the left side, and with two outs DP MacKenzie Valeriani drew a walk to put two on with two outs.

Kean's single-season homerun leader – Knapp - strode to the plate for Kean. The junior squared up a pitch and sent the ball on a long ride. The only question was if it would be high enough to get over the nine-foot wall. It was still rising as it cleared the boundary by inches for a three-run dinger. It was her tenth homer of the season; she is the only Cougar to ever reach double-digits in home runs in one season.

Stockton struck back with two runs in the top of the second. The Ospreys pounded out four hits in the frame, though Kean's Kiele Eichlin came in to stop the bleeding and keep the Cougars in front 3-2.

The Ospreys scored two in the third, this time taking the lead, 4-3. With two on and one out, Eichlin made a great play to snag a line drive back up the box that may already have been behind her, and had the presence of mind to double off the runner at second to end the threat.

Once again, Stockton struck for two runs in the fourth to add to their lead. After the first inning, Stockton pitcher Samantha Shockey allowed just one hit over the rest of the game.

Danielle Lugo, Alexa Massam, Shockey and Casey Schieda had the Stockton RBIs in the middle innings.

Emily Sabo (pictured left) had the only other base hit for Kean in the game.

For the fifth-straight year the Cougars reached the 20-win plateau; they will end the season with a 20-22 record.