Box Score WAYNE, N.J. – Fourth-seeded Kean (31-9, 14-4 NJAC) got past second-seeded Montclair State (35-5, 15-3 NJAC), 3-2, in Game 6 of the double-elimination New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Softball Tournament May 2.
The Red Hawks will play sixth-seeded Rutgers-Camden in an elimination Game 7 on Saturday, May 3, at 10:00 a.m. The Cougars will play Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against the winner of Game 7.
Fifth-ranked MSU got on the scoreboard during its first at-bat. Sophomore left fielder Brooke Powers started the contest with a single through the right side that was then misplayed by the outfielder, leaving her at third base, and senior catcher Alisha Cumberton immediately followed with a sac fly to center field.
The 24th-ranked Cougars evened things up in the bottom of the fourth. Senior center fielder Sandra Binkiewicz singled to left to start the frame and junior pitcher Courtney Yard walked before senior shortstop Kelly Moorhead dropped a single into shallow left. Binkiewicz was sent home on the play but was out at the plate, 7-5-2 for the first out of the inning, but Kean was still able to get the tying run as sophomore first baseman Tiffany Varriello followed with an RBI-single to center.
Kean surged ahead with a two-run sixth. Yard opened the frame with a base on balls, Moorehead doubled to right center and Varriello plated both with a two-bagger to the right-center gap.
Montclair State's seventh-inning rally accounted for one run. Junior first baseman Tara Petrucelli singled to right and was lifted for pinch runner Jeanine Karnilla, who advanced to second and third via two wild pitches. She touched home after a Katie Muglia sacrifice fly to center, pulling the Red Hawks within one, but the Cougars ended the game by getting a groundout and strikeout.
Variello was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI for Kean. Yard (19-6) allowed three hits and two runs, one earned, during her 7.0 innings inside the circle, striking out four.
Three different Red Hawks accounted for MSU's three hits. Senior Alex Hill fell to 24-3, surrendering three runs and eight hits over 6.0 innings, striking out 13 and walking two.
