Union, N.J. (3/22/23) – The Kean University softball team swept visiting DeSales University by the finals of 9-0 (5 innings) and 2-1 (8 innings) on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action.
Game One – Kean 9, DeSales 0 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Kean cruised in the opener as veteran Heather Clevenger saw her first action of the season. She got the ball rolling striking out the side in the first inning and the Cougars (12-4) responded with a four spot in the same inning. Karly Messina recorded the first RBI of the day on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. Andee Perseponko worked a bases loaded walk and Emily Zuppa delivered with a single up the middle for a quick 4-0 lead.
The Cougars added two more in the second with RBI singles from Eliza Filus and Messina.
In their half of the third, the Cougars crossed the eight run threshold as Filus lofted a sac fly and Autaum Hilyer followed with a two RBI double off the wall.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Clevenger allowed just three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in the win.
Offensively Filus, Hilyer and Messina all had two hits and two RBI.
Game Two – Kean 2, DeSales 1 (8 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Melody Caces got things going with a triple to lead off the bottom of the first and she scored the game's first run after a sacrifice from Gianna Pickens.
The Bulldogs (11-4) tied things up in the top of the fourth, all with two outs. Kayleigh Ferraro doubled down the line and Tori Kenney responded with a single up the middle.
Heading into extra innings, Kean's Annabella Marino was able to work out of the inning without allowing the runner from second to score. She induced a flyout, infield groundout and strikeout.
In the bottom of the eighth, Pickens led off the inning with a four pitch walk and she and Caces (who was placed on second to start the inning) both moved up on an infield bunt single from Filus to load the bases. Hilyer ended the game with a sac fly for the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Marino improved to 6-1 with the complete game effort. She allowed four hits and one run with no walks and two strikeouts.
UP NEXT:
Kean heads to Drew University next Wednesday in a rescheduled matchup.
