Glassboro, N.J. (5/11/24) – The Kean University softball team was edged by Ramapo College, 4-3, in the elimination bracket of the NJAC Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Katie Rygiel doubled to open the contest and advanced to third two batters later on a flyout.  Mahogany Wheeler singled down the line to bring across the game's first run and was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

The Cougars hit three singles to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the same inning, but Kassy Stefanski struck out the next three batters to work out of the early jam.

Kean had another opportunity again in the second as Nikki Lusnia doubled to start the inning.  Brianna Sciulli singled with one out and swiped second to give the Cougars runners on second and third and one out.  But again Stefanski worked out of trouble with two pop ups.

The Roadrunners made it 2-0 in the third, scoring on a miscue.

Ramapo scored two more in the fifth with back-to-back singles to start the frame.  After a successful sacrifice, Rygiel came around to scoring on a Wheeler single and Avery Kontura made it 4-0, scoring on a sac fly.

Kean got on the board in the bottom of the same inning as Maya Thompson homered with two outs, cutting the deficit in half.

Down to their final at bats, Eliza Filus doubled in the gap with two outs.  Karly Messina followed with an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw.  Ramapo elected to intentionally walk Thompson and got a pop up to seal the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

FIlus, Messina and Thompson all finished with two hits each and each scored one time.

UP NEXT:

The Cougars will wait to see if they earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament which is announced on Monday.