Softball
Baseball
Margie Acker returns for her 18th season at the head of the
Kean University softball program in 2017. Two All-Americans
will also return to the Kean lineup: seniors Emily Sabo and
Dana Knapp. Both players will be looking to rewrite the Cou-
gar record book in 2017.
Most notably, Knapp set the Kean single-season homerun
record with 10 dingers last season, and may challenge the
school’s career record of 17 despite only playing two seasons
in a Kean uniform. Sabo is looking to become the first Cougar
in history to bat over .400 in her career - she’ll enter her senior
season with a head start thanks to her career .440 average.
“We are very excited about the season,” said Acker. “We have a
great combination of both power and speed offensively, with
Emily Sabo and Dana Knapp leading the way. Defensively, we
have a strong core of returners on the field, especially with the
return of shortstop Cayleen Rizo (from injury).”
Only two seniors graduated from last year’s team, which won
20 games, so the Cougars should be primed for another suc-
cessful season when play begins in Florida over Spring Break.
The Kean University baseball team captured another NJAC Champi-
onship in 2016, marking the ninth time in 10 years that the program
has captured the league’s regular season or tournament crown. In
addition, Kean advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament for the
11th consecutive season. The Cougars are ready to defend their title
and eager to make waves again on the national scene.
“(This year’s) team has a lot of pitching depth, which should give
us a chance to keep the score down consistently,” said head coach
Neil Ioviero. “Our defense is solid, with good arms in the field and
speed in the gaps. We are excited to get to work with both our new
players and our returning ones. We feel this is a hardworking and
dedicated group, that will do some great things if we focus and stay
humble.”
Ioviero, who is in his 20th season in the Kean dugout, led the pro-
gram to the 2007 NCAA National Championship, and was named
the NJAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in 2016. Kean went 30-
18 last season, including a 13-5 mark in the NJAC to win the regular
season conference title.
Kean was ranked 15th nationally in the preseason Collegiate Base-
ball National Division III poll, and returns national Gold Glove award-
winning first baseman Matt Krupa, as well as All-NJAC selections
Richie Ferguson and Brian Cole.
KEANmag
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spring 2017 preview
