Box Score

HILLSIDE, N.J.  – Sophomore Jenn Roberts scattered five hits and struck out eight to lead the Lebanon Valley College softball team to a 3-1 non-conference win over host Kean University on Thursday.

The second game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness after four innings with LVC leading 2-1. The game did not count because the minimum five innings were not completed.

Playing for the first time in 12 days since opening the season at the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament, Lebanon Valley (3-1) out-hit Kean (3-7) 9-5.

Roberts (2-0) and Kristen Hennings locked up in a pitcher's dual early on, as each hurler kept its opponent off the scoreboard over the first five innings.

Lebanon Valley finally broke through in the top of the sixth with an unearned run. With two outs, senior Chris Jessen and freshman Jessica Salisbury ripped back-to-back singles, then moved up one bag apiece on a passed ball. Jessen scored when freshman Lauren Sanford reached on an error by Kean's first baseman.

The Cougars pulled even in the bottom half of the inning when Leigh Greenberg led off with a double, stole third, and scored on a groundout.

The decisive LVC seventh started with an infield single from senior Gina Battistelli. Sophomore Audrey Benner sacrificed her to second before junior Lisa DiCristofaro singled to put runners on first and third. Sophomore Amy Batz then drove in the game-winning run with a single through the left side, scoring Battistelli. Sophomore Jenn Parks added an insurance RBI-double to center to score DiCristofaro.

DiCristofaro and Batz ripped two hits apiece for Lebanon Valley.

Hennings (1-3) also went the distance in the circle for Kean. She yielded nine hits and three walks while striking out three.

Batz has now hit safely in her last 14 games, dating back to last season. Benner pushed her hitting streak, which also includes the end of the 2004 season, to nine games.

Lebanon Valley plays hits home opener on Saturday, when it takes on Lycoming at 1 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader.

[Photo - Sophomore Jenn Roberts, who threw a complete-game five-hitter in Lebanon Valley's 3-1 win over Kean on Thursday]

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