UNION, N.J. (April 17, 2021) – The schedule-maker wasn't kind to the Rutgers University-Camden softball team this week, but the Scarlet Raptors proved they are capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the best teams the country can offer.
 
After splitting a home doubleheader against The College of New Jersey – currently the nation's 18th-ranked team – on Tuesday, Rutgers-Camden gave #20 Kean University all it could handle before the Cougars scraped out a pair of one-run victories, 1-0 and 2-1, here Saturday.
 
Kean improves to 16-2 overall and 6-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Rutgers-Camden falls to 5-7 overall and 5-5 in the NJAC.
 
Senior Sarah Byrnes (5-6) was the tough-luck losing pitcher in both games, despite throwing a pair of complete games and allowing only seven hits and three runs in 12 innings. She walked one and struck out four.
 
Rutgers-Camden travels to Stockton University for a 3 p.m. doubleheader Tuesday.
   
Byrnes and Kean senior Taryn DiGiacomo both tossed three-hitters. The only difference in the game was a lone fourth-inning run pushed across by the Cougars. With one out in the fourth, senior second baseman Julie Raba walked and advanced on a ground out. She scored on a single by junior left fielder Jenn Majorczak.
 
Byrnes threw a six-inning complete game, striking out two and walking one. DiGiacomo (8-1) struck out seven and didn't walk any batters in her complete-game shutout.
 
The only player in the game with multiple hits was Raptor senior catcher Alexis Davis, who had a bunt single in the third inning and a double in the sixth to go 2-for-2.
   
Byrnes was outstanding again, allowing only single runs in the second and third innings, while striking out three batters. She allowed four hits and didn't walk a batter against the powerful Cougars. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Raptors, Kean junior Heather Clevenger (5-1) also hurled a four-hitter, walking two and allowing only a first-inning Raptor run.
 
Rutgers-Camden opened the game when junior center fielder Kimmy Musarra and senior shortstop Nina Arroyo drew back-to-back walks. A single by Byrnes loaded the bases. One out later, junior designated player Karlie Kennedy delivered a sacrifice fly to right field.
 
Kean tied the game in the second inning on a solo home run by junior catcher Skyler Hengeveld. In the third, senior third baseman Julia Stasil tripled and senior center fielder Maria Bonfanti had a bunt single. While Bonfanti was thrown out at second base on a steal attempt, Stasil scored what proved to be the winning run.