Union, N.J. (4/2/23) – The Kean University softball team split with The College of New Jersey in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Sunday afternoon, falling 7-6 in extra innings in the opener and winning with a walkoff, 4-3 in the nightcap.
Game One – TCNJ 7, Kean 6 (8 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The opener saw plenty of offense, as the teams' combined for 27 hits.
It was a see-saw affair as TCNJ (11-7, 1-1 NJAC) took the lead with an RBI single in the first. Kean answered and took the lead with two runs in the second as Emily Zuppa tripled and Andee Perseponko lofted a sac fly.
The Lions grabbed the lead back with a two RBI single from Julia Mayernik in the third and added cushion with an RBI sac fly, RBI single and with a Cougar miscue in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead.
The Cougars (15-5, 1-1 NJAC) didn't go away quietly as Annabella Marino launched a two run homer in the sixth and pinch hitter Jordyn Varone lofted a sac fly to pull Kean within one (6-5).
Eliza Filus sent the game into extras with a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh.
Jaclyn Carifi provided the go-ahead hit with an RBI single in the eighth, scoring Ashley O'Hagan as the speed up runner placed on second.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Zuppa was 4-for-4 with a homerun shy of the cycle. She added two runs scored and an RBI. FIlus and Karly Messina each had three hits.
Reliever Ashley DiBenedetto (1-0) earned the win allowing just one hit in one and two thirds innings of work.
Game Two – Kean 4, TCNJ 3
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Lions again scored first as Mayernik homered in the second frame for a quick 1-0 lead.
The Cougars took the lead back with a three run fourth inning. Marino tied the game with an RBI single and Zuppa and Perseponko each had RBI doubles.
The College of New Jersey tied the game in their half of the fifth as Carafi and Julia Kinnally each had RBI.
TCNJ appeared to be in a good position in the top of the seventh with runners on second and third and one out, but Sydney Hixenbaugh was able to get out of the jam with a liner right at Filus and a groundout to Zuppa to keep the score knotted at three.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Filus singled up the middle and swiped second. Messina delivered with a 1-2 pitch through the right side, allowing Filus to cross the plate with the game-winning run.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Zuppa and Brianna Sciulli each had two hits for Kean.
Kaci Neveling was 4-for-4 in the leadoff spot for TCNJ.
In the circle, Hixenbaugh earned the win with a complete game effort.
UP NEXT:
Kean travels to Montclair State on Tuesday.
