Union, N.J. (3/16/23) – The Kean University softball team swept visiting Stevens Institute of Technology by the finals of 2-1 and 5-4 on Thursday afternoon.
Game One – Kean 2, Stevens 1 (9 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a scoreless regulation, the Ducks (5-7) were the first to strike in extra innings as Olivia Warner recorded an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Meg Halloran who was the runner placed on second.
Kean (10-4) answered in their half of the eighth as Melody Cases scored after an errant throw. The Cougars were primed to win the game in the same inning with runners on second and third and one out, but the Ducks were able to work out of the jam with a groundout and strikeout.
In the top of the ninth, Annabella Marino got two quick outs with no runner movement before Emma Ruiz singled up the middle. Cases then gunned down the runner trying to score to keep the game tied at one-all.
In the bottom of the ninth, Andee Perseponko crossed the plate after a wild pitch.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Marino (5-1) tossed a complete game allowing just the one unearned run with seven hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Offensively Eliza Filus was the only Cougar with a multi-hit performance in the opener.
For Stevens, Jessica Guerrero, Warner and Ruiz all had two hits apiece.
Game Two – Kean 5, Stevens 4
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a back and forth affair in the nightcap. Warner again got things going and put the Ducks up 1-0 in the top of the first, but the Cougars answered and took the lead back with three runs in the same inning. FIlus, Karly Messina and Sydney Hixenbaugh all recorded RBI.
Later Stevens tied things up at four-all with a single run in the sixth inning. Siobhan Cottell led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice. Ruiz later singled her home to knot the game up.
Kean scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the same inning as Messina led off with a four pitch walk. She advanced to second on a throwing error and came around to score on a pinch-hit single from Marino.
Starter Abby Burns worked a one-two-three seventh to close things out for the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Burns (3-0) allowed two earned runs and nine hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
Offensively Filus was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
For Stevens, Warner was 3-for-4 with three RBI in the loss.
UP NEXT:
Kean will host DeSales on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
