BOX SCORE (Game 1)
BOX SCORE (Game 2)
Union, NJ (April 17, 2008) – The DeSales University softball team was blanked in game one and saw Kean University make two late inning rallies for a 5-4 extra inning win in the second game as the Bulldogs dropped a non-conference doubleheader with the Cougars on a beautiful Thursday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (16-10 overall) managed just five hits in the opener as they were shutout for just the third time this season. Back-to-back hits followed by a Kean University (24-6 overall) error loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning but DSU was unable to push across a run as sophomore Kristen Cybularz (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Carroll) took the loss lasting three innings allowing four hits and two runs.
In the second game DeSales totaled 11 hits and held leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 4-3 but were unable to hold any of the three leads falling in eight innings, 5-4. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from freshman Kristin Schultz (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) plating freshman Kate Steiner (Walnutport, PA/Northampton) who doubled to lead-off the inning.
The lead grew to 2-0 in the fourth when a freshman Kylie Fehnel (Nazareth, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) knocked in junior Kelly Moran (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) with an RBI groundout but the Cougars tied it in the bottom of the fourth with two runs of their own.
DeSales jumped right back on top with a solo run in the fifth as sophomore Kerri Andrews (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) scored after a bunt single on a Kean error five batters later but the Cougars once again answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to knot the score at three.
DSU took a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh when Schlutz knocked in her second run of the game with an RBI double plating Steiner once again but the Bulldogs could not close out KU as they tied the game at four in the bottom of the inning.
In the eighth with each team receiving a runner at second to start the extra frame, DeSales failed to score as the inherited runner was throw out trying to steal home with one out. Kean took advantage and got a two-out RBI single with runners on first and second to post the final one-run margin.
Freshman Jen Lococo (Easton, PA/Freedom) suffered the loss lasting 7.2 innings allowing nine hits and four earned runs, while striking out three. Schultz had two RBI's to lead the offensive attack, while Steiner had two hits and scored two runs. Fehnel finished with three hits and an RBI and Moran also had two base knocks in the loss.
DSU returns to Freedom Conference action on Saturday when they travel to Manhattanville College for a doubleheader beginning at Noon.
