UNION, N.J. (March 6, 2018) - The FDU softball team dropped a pair of 2-1 decision to Kean University Tuesday.
The Cougars moved to 2-0, while FDU fell to 0-4.
GAME 1: Kean 2, FDU 1
Kean drew first blood, scoring a run in the bottom of the first on a groundout. The Devils, who put runners on base in each of the first three innings without scoring, evened the score in the top of fourth. Senior
Michelle Mangini came up and delivered a home run to center field to tie things at one.
FDU looked poised to take the lead in the fifth. Freshman
Taylor Tobey singled with one out, and moved to second on an error. Sophomore
Annamarie Santangelo slapped a single to right, loading the bases with one down. But the next two Devil hitters fouled out to first, ending the threat.
The Devils filled the bases in the sixth, as senior
Rebecca DeCarlo, freshman
Nicole Casale and Tobey all hit singles. Kean regrouped and recorded the much needed groundout to escape.
The Cougars scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seven, registering three hits in the frame, the final being an infield hit to walk-off with the win.
Tobey was a perfect 3-for-3, while Casale collected her first collegiate hit in the setback.
GAME 2: Kean 2, FDU 1
Tobey stayed hot, singling up the middle to score sophomore
Tara Morash in the top of the second of game two. Sophomore
Gabby Young followed with an infield hit and promptly stole second. The Devils were unable to capitalize, as Kean got a strikeout to end the inning.
Freshman
Linda Rizzo cruised through the first four innings, allowing just two hits over the four frames. The Cougars evened the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on a throwing error on a stolen base attempt.
Once again, the game came down to the bottom of the seventh inning. Kean had two runners on, and Jessica Raba singled through the left side to give the hosts their second walk-off hit of the day. Coincidentally, it was Raba who had both game-winning hits on the day.
Tobey collected two more hits, while Young and Casale each added singles. Rizzo allowed six hits while throwing a complete game, striking out three.