Softball Splits at Rebel Spring
Games
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/20/09) -
The Kean University softball team defeated Nazareth College, 1-0,
before falling to Millikin University, 6-3, on Friday afternoon at
the Rebel Spring Games.
GAME ONE: Shotwell Earns Complete Game
Shutout
Junior right-hander Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen,
N.J.) earned the complete game shutout victory and the
Cougars capitalized on a Nazareth error to score the game's lone
run in a 1-0 victory over the Golden Flyers(4-5) in the Friday
opener.
After Shotwell and junior designated player Allison
Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) opened the bottom of the third
inning with back-to-back walks, senior catcher Jesse
Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) followed with a bloop
single to right field to load the bases.
Nazareth rookie Kelly Kocher (Victor, N.Y.) struck-out
the next two Cougars, and the Golden Flyers appeared to have forced
Kean junior centerfielder Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill,
N.J.) into a groundout to end the inning, however a 
Nazareth error allowed rookie Heather Aliotta (Staten
Island, N.Y.) to score from third base after coming into
the game to pinch run for Shotwell.
The Golden Flyers threatened to tie the game with a runner on
third base in both the fourth and sixth innings with one out or
less, but Shotwell was able to get the Cougars out of the jam each
inning. She picked up the final two outs of the fourth inning
with a strikeout and groundout back to herself, while forcing the
final three Golden Flyers to groundout in the sixth inning.
Shotwell improved to 4-1 with her second complete game shutout
of the season.
At the plate, Lizzi (pictured right) was 1-of-3 with her second
double of the season, while Buchanan had the other Cougar hit in
the game.
GAME TWO: Kean Falls to Millikin,
6-3
Millikin University scored three runs apiece in the fourth and
fifth innings to defeat Kean, 6-3, in the Cougars' second game of
the day.
The Cougars (6-6) took a 1-0 lead when rookie
Alicia Banz (Carteret, N.J.) scored following a
throwing error in the third inning. Banz led the inning off
with a single and after advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by
junior first baseman Cassie Shotwell, Banz would
score from second on a throwing error as the Big Blue tried to get
her out at second base.
Millikin (5-8) took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring three
runs on four hits and one walk to take a 3-1 lead, as senior
Kaitlyn McEldowney (Mount Zion, Ill.) delivered the big
hit, a one-out, two-run homerun. Big Blue followed with three
more singles in the inning, including an infield single by freshman
Jenna Anderson (Gurnee, Ill.) to drive in a run for the
3-1 lead.
The following inning, the Cougars responded to tie the game when
senior second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield,
N.J.) tripled to the right-field corner to drive in senior
right fielder Nikki Castagno (Staten Island, N.Y.)
and pinch runner Heather Aliotta (pictured left)
to tie the game at 3-3.
Big Blue regained the lead for good in the bottom half of the
inning, using four more hits to score three runs. McEldowney
had the third of three straight singles to drive in the go-ahead
run and freshman Colleen Bryan (Florissant, Mo.) added a
two-run single for the insurance runs.
At the plate, senior Jesse Buchanan had a third-inning triple,
while sophomore third baseman Katie Yard (Hillsborough,
N.J.) also added a single.
The Cougars wrap-up their Spring Break Trip at the Rebel Spring
Games tomorrow, facing Anderson University (9 a.m.) and
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1 p.m.).
