Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley College took two big non-conference games from Kean University, sweeping the Cougars 7-0 and 3-2 in softball action.
The Dutchmen (16-7, 3-1 CC) belted out four first-inning runs in the opener, but had to hold off the Cougars (18-6, 3-2 NJAC) in the nightcap after carrying a 3-0 lead into the seventh.
Val Malizzia twirled another gem in game one, improving to 7-2 with a four-hit, six-strikeout complete-game effort. In game two, Laura Snyder pushed her record to 7-1 as she worked out of several jams, including striking out the final batter with the tying run on second.
The opener had LVC start off with a big first inning that started with back-to-back doubles by Katie DeJulio and Kristen Uhas. With Uhas on second, Jess Salisbury homered to left center to put the Dutchmen up 3-0. Snyder singled in Chelsea Artz for another run later in the inning. LVC added another run in the second when Salisbury scored Sanford on a fielder's choice.
In the fourth, Kean felt the effects of one of its five errors. With Lauren Sanford on second, a wild pitch went to the backstop, and Sanford ran to third before the third baseman dropped the throw from home, allowing Sanford to score. Salisbury scored DeJulio two batters later for the game's final run.
Cassie Shotwell took the loss for Kean, lasting only an inning and allowing four runs on five hits. Courtney Smith went five innings in relief, giving up three runs on five hits.
Game two had less offensive firepower as LVC took a 1-0 lead in the first and held it until the sixth. With Sanford on third, Salisbury dropped a ball into shallow center to score the run.
Kean's best chance came in the fifth as the Cougars loaded the bases with one out. However, Snyder worked out of the jam, first as the Dutchmen got the lead runner on a fielder's choice to prevent the run from scoring, and then as DeJulio ran down a ball in foul territory for the third out.
Kean threatened again in the sixth, but some smart fielding helped the Dutchmen out of a pickle. With Vicki Lanza on second and one out, Allison Lizzi popped a bunt but Snyder got under it for the out. With Lanza midway to third, Snyder turned to get her at second, but with the infielders in, Marisa Krause made a dash for second to beat Lanza for the third out.
LVC then turned around and scored two in the bottom of the innings with Allie Davies' two-run single, giving the Dutchmen a 3-0 lead.
The Cougars didn't give up, though, and made the game interesting in their final go-around. With a runner on third, Allison Thibault singled through the gap to score Katie Hicks, and Sara Steinman doubled to the fence in left center to score Thibault. With the tying run on second, Snyder buckled down and struck out Kara Schultz for the final out.
LVC will host Messiah College for a conference doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
