Softball

Softball Falls to #9 MSU in NJAC Doubleheader

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (4/19/08) - The Kean University softball team dropped a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader to ninth-ranked Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (32-2, 14-0) stretched its winning streak to 25 games with the 3-0 victory in the opener and the 5-2 win in the nightcap over the Cougars (24-8, 9-5 NJAC).

Senior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) was 2-of-3 and drove in both runs in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: McCrea Tosses Two-Hit Shutout For Red Hawks

Senior right-hander Carolyn McCrea (Wharton, N.J.) tossed a two-hit complete game shutout and struck out 10 Cougars  in the opener to improve to 17-2 this season.

The Red Haws took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning, as designated player Kelly Karp (Edison, N.J.) drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the first run of the game. 

MSU added the insurance runs in the third inning when Whitney Driver (Montville, N>J.) and Leslie Gonzalez (North Bergen, N.J.) each had RBI singles for the 3-0 edge. 

For the Cougars, senior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) (pictured right) and junior right fielder Nikki Castagno (Staten Island, N.Y.) each recorded a hit for Kean.  On the mound, freshman Courtney Smyth (Abington, Pa.) pitched the complete game, allowing nine hits and three earned runs in falling to 12-3 this season.

GAME TWO: Kean Falls Behind Early in 5-2 Loss

Montclair State again scored early runs, building a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on four hits and two walks.  Kelly Karp singled in the first run before first baseman Kelly Nance (Marlboro, N.J.) and right-fielder Whitney Driver added a bases-loaded walk and RBI single, respectively.

In the top of the second inning, MSU extended the lead to 4-0 on a RBI single by Megan Durkin (West Orange, N.J.), before the Cougars cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the second, junior right fielder Nikki Castagno and sophomore designated player Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) had back-to-back singles before senior shortstop Johanna Hedler drove both in with a single to pull within 4-2.

The Red Hawks added an insurance run in the fifth inning to extend the lead out to 5-2.

For the Cougars, Hedler (pictured left) finished 2-of-3 with two RBI, while Castagno added her second hit of the afternoon going 1-of-2 in the nightcap with one run scored.

Senior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) went the distance in the losing effort, as she fell to 4-4 this season.

The trio of Karp, Elia Persico (Marlton, N.J.) and Carolyn McCrea combined on the victory, as Karp improved to13-0 with the victory.  McCrea earned her fifth save of the year in relief. 

The Cougars face St. Joseph's College (Patchogue) in non-conference action on Sunday, April 20, at 1:00 p.m.