Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State softball team (6-6) played its first home doubleheader of the season at MSU Softball Stadium, shutting out Hunter (2-6) with dominant 5-0 and 9-0 (5 inns.) victories on Tuesday afternoon.
Game 1
How It Happened
· After retiring the side in the top of the first, Montclair struck early to take a 1-0 lead. SOPHIA ALONSO tripled into the right-center gap and was brought home on a CARLEE IANNONE sacrifice fly.
· The Red Hawks extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth. With two outs, RILEIGH GLYNN singled up the middle and scored from first when Alonso delivered her second triple of the game, this time to left-center.
· Montclair broke the game open in the sixth, adding three more runs. JORDYN HESTER led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner GIANNA STREPPONE. KATIE BRUNNER reached on a bunt single, and LIZ MULLEN followed with a single through the left side to load the bases. MOLLY COLLIGAN then stepped up with a two-RBI double to right-center, scoring Streppone and Brunner. A throwing error allowed Mullen to score, capping the inning at 5-0.
· The Red Hawks sealed the win with a one-two-three seventh inning.
Inside the Numbers
· Alonso and Mullen were perfect at the plate, both going 3-for-3 with a run scored. Alonso led the team with two triples.
· Montclair recorded 10 hits, marking the fourth time this season they reached double digits.
· Pitcher SAGE RIZZI was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete-game one-hitter while striking out eight for her second win of the season. She also hit 100 career strikeouts during the contest.
Game 2
How It Happened
· After a scoreless first, Montclair took control with a four-run second inning. DYLAN BOLES led off with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a Colligan double. Mullen followed with an RBI single, scoring Boles. After Mullen stole second, JAYLA VASQUEZ doubled down the left-field line, plating Mullen and Colligan for her first collegiate RBIs. A putout allowed Vasquez to advance to third, and Alonso brought her home with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
· The Red Hawks put the game out of reach with a five-run third inning. The scoring spree included a solo home run by Hester, a sacrifice fly from Mullen, and RBI singles from Vasquez, Alonso, and Glynn.
· Behind strong pitching from CHEYANNE WEIGAND, Montclair retired six of the next seven batters, enforcing the mercy rule after five innings with a 9-0 win.
Inside the Numbers
· Freshmen Alonso and Vasquez led the offense. Alonso added another hit and two RBIs, while Vasquez went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
· Mullen continued her strong day with another hit and two RBIs.
· The Red Hawks stole six bases in Game 2, bringing their total to eight for the day.
· Weigand improved to 3-1 on the season, pitching five innings of one-hit ball with one strikeout.
Up Next
Montclair State returns to action at MSU Softball Stadium on Thursday, March 20, for a doubleheader against Baruch, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
