Union, N.J. – Stockton University (28-6, 14-2 NJAC) began the final week of the regular season by sweeping Kean University (21-15, 10-6 NJAC) 6-4 and 8-4.
Caitlin Cetrulo (Caldwell/Caldwell) hit a go-ahead home run late in each game.
Emily Clauss (Delanco/BCIT) and
Camryn Harry (Swedesboro/Paul VI) each went 2-4 with a run and an RBI in the first game. Harry doubled twice and Clauss doubled once.
Cassie Stallwood (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) contributed two hits and two runs.
Clauss and Harry each smacked RBI doubles in the top of the first for an early 2-0 lead. Kean jumped in front 4-2 with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Cetrulo quickly put the Ospreys back on top 5-4 with a three-run homer in the top of the fifth.
Elizabeth Martin (Port Republic/Cedar Creek) earned an RBI with a groundout in the sixth frame for the last run of the 6-4 victory. Martin also collected the pitching win with four innings of work.
Lexi Liquori (Union/Union) tossed three scoreless innings for a save.
In the nightcap,
Casey Sokol (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) led a 13-hit attack with career highs of three hits and four RBI. Stallwood continued her big day with three hits, including a double, and two runs.
Stockton got off to a fast start once again as an RBI single by Clauss and a two-run single by Sokol gave them a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Kean rallied to take a 4-3 lead before a pinch-hit RBI single by
Regan Mendick (Newark, Del./Red Lion Christian) tied it 4-4.
For the second straight game, Cetrulo provided the big hit as she slugged a two-run homer in the sixth inning that broke the tie. Sokol singled home two more runs in the seventh frame to clinch the 8-4 triumph.
Liquori continued her mastery of the Cougars with 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in which she allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter to record her 10th win of the season.
Stockton will finish the regular season with a doubleheader at Rutgers-Newark on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. With two wins, or the same results as Rowan (sweep, split, etc.), the Ospreys would capture the NJAC regular season title for the first time in school history.