Union, NJ: The #3 Kean University softball team posted a 4-0 win over Ramapo College today to open the 2019 NJAC Tournament. The Cougars (35-5) move onto game six of the tournament and will take on #2 Rowan University (29-10). The Roadrunners fall to 22-13 overall and will move to game five of the tournament and take on #1 The College of New Jersey (31-6) on Friday at 1pm.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the third inning Julie Raba walked, moved to third on a Ramapo throwing error and later scored when Cayleen Rizzo worked a bases loaded walk for a 1-0 lead. Katie Debbie led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a hard-hit single to right field, moved to second on pass ball before being lifted for pinch runner Grace Cofino. Caroline Ratti was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out before a single from Olivia Zengel loaded the bases. Raba reached on a fielder's choice as Cofino was out at home plate. Ramapo starting pitcher Erin Fitzsimmons fielded the ground ball and fired back to catcher Olivia Mahon for the second out. Jacqueline Riley worked a full-count walk to push home Raba with second run of the game for Kean, 2-0. Fitzsimmons worked out of the jam by recording a strikeout looking to end the Cougar threat.
 
Rizo made it 3-0 for Kean with a solo home run over the left field wall to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. The Cougars added their final run of the game when Ratti poked a single through the left side of the infield allowing Samantha Krakower to score, 4-0.
 
Kean starting pitcher Taryn DiGiacomo (17-3) sent the Roadrunners down in order in their final two at-bats to earn the win. She struck out five, walked one and scattered just three Ramapo hits in the complete game win.
 
Fitzsimmons (13-9) struck out four, walked four and scattered six hits over four innings of work while surrendering four runs (three earned). Jessica Becchetti came into the game in the fifth inning working the final two innings surrendering just one hit and walking one.