VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (3/1/08) - The Kean University softball team picked up another pair of victories, including a win over nationally ranked Bridgewater College (Va.), at the Atlantic versus East Beach Blast on Saturday evening. The Cougars defeated Christopher Newport University, 2-1, in the opener, and followed that up with the 3-1 win over the #19 Eagles to close out the weekend a perfect 4-0 to open the 2008 season.

In the opener, sophomore right-hander Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen, N.J.) (pictured left) earned her first career victory, striking out five while allowing just four hits and one earned run.

At the plate, senior Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) and sophomore Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) each had a hit and an RBI, while senior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) was 1-of-2 in the victory.

Against Bridgewater, rookie Jess Mattos (Carteret, N.J.) allowed just one earned run and five hits to go alongwith three stirkeouts to pick up the victory in her first intercollegiate start.

Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, senior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) had a solo homerun to tie the game. The following inning, the Cougars took the lead when Steinman had an RBI single to score Hedler, who had singled to right field and advanced to second on a pass ball earlier in the inning. Senior Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) followed with a RBI double to score Steinman for the insurance run.

Steinman finished 3-of-3 with an RBI, while Hicks was 2-for-4 in the game.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, March 8, when they take on Swarthmore College at Montclair State University. The non-conference doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.