Union, NJ: The #3 seeded Kean University softball team defeated #6 seeded Ramapo College this afternoon in the NJAC Tournament Quarterfinal game, 3-2. The Cougars move to 24-15 overall while the Roadrunners end the season with a 25-15 overall record.
The Cougars plated two runs in the bottom of the second inning to take an early lead before Ramapo scored one in the second and one in the fourth to tie the game. Kean would score the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth and hold off a Roadrunner comeback for a 3-2 victory. Brianna Sciulli scored on an RBI single from Samantha Raymond before Nikki Lusnia laced a single to plate Rielyn Carey to take an early 2-0 lead for the Cougars.
Kori Gargiulo led off the top of the second with a four-pitch walk before moving to second on a sac bunt from
Aimee Notaro.
Lia Milsom ripped a single up the middle to put runners on first and third before stealing second base. Clay'le Correa – Vanness worked a walk to load the bases before
Alex Hastings lifted a sac fly which allowed Gargiulo to score. In the fourth inning, Correa – Vanness was hit by pitch before moving to second on a groundout. With two outs,
Angelina Ciesnicki singled to right field which allowed Correa – Vanness to score on the play at the plate to tie the game, 2-2. Kean would push the game-winning run across in the fifth as Sciulli walked to lead off the inning before moving to second on a sac bunt. Gina Mahlik singled to put runners on the corners before Carey drove in Sciulli with a sac fly to center field, 3-2. The Roadrunners would put the game-tying runs on base in the final two innings as the Cougars got out of both jams to earn the NJAC Tournament Quarterfinal win. Nikki Lusnia (15-7) worked a complete game for the Cougars in the circle as she walked five and scattered six hits.
Brooke Knight (13-5) took the loss for the Roadrunners in relief as she struck out two, walked one and surrendered three hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Gabby Morgan started the game for the team as she scattered four hits in 1.1 innings of work. Six different Roadrunners posted a hit in the game.
