Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University softball team (15-7) defeated Saint Elizabeth, 9-7 in game one and went into extra innings in game two, where junior
DYLAN BOLES batted in the walk-off RBI to win, 4-3 and complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Game 1
How It Happened
- Montclair kicked off the game with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. SOPHIA ALONSO was walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After back-to-back outs, CARLEE IANNONE belted a ball to left center to plate Alonso for the game's first run.
- After a scoreless second inning, the Red Hawks put together a four-run top of the fourth inning on a RBI singles up the middle from MARIALYS RICOURT and KATIE BRUNNER and a two-RBI single through the right side by Alonso to push the lead up to 5-0.
- Saint Elizabeth ended the shutout with two RBI singles up the middle in the top of the fourth inning to cut the lead to 5-2.
- In the bottom of the fifth inning for Montclair, AVERY MOCHRIE was hit by a pitch in the lead-off and advanced to second on a bunt single by Brunner. RILEIGH GLYNN singled to second base to load the bases, and it was again Alonso who drove in a run with an RBI single through the right side that plated Maddie Leech, who came in to run for Mochrie. After a line out, LIZ MULLEN fired a ball into center field for a two-RBI double that distanced the Red Hawks, 8-2.
- Both teams exchanged runs in the sixth inning to put the score at 9-3 heading into the final inning. The Eagles scored on an RBI groundout while the Red Hawks scored on a bases-loaded walk.
- Saint Elizabeth did not surrender when they threatened the lead in the top of the seventh. A few singles put runners on first and second, but a double play on the next at-bat put two outs on the board for Montclair to just need one left. The Eagles then proceeded to put four runs on the board to slash the advantage to 9-7 and still had runners in scoring position. After another single loaded the bases, the Red Hawks got the out they needed on a pop up to Julianna Casillas and Montclair held off Saint Elizabeth.
Inside the Numbers
- Alonso was the star for the Red Hawks in game one. She batted two-for-two with four RBI and two runs scored. She was also walked three times in the game.
- Glynn tallied the most hits in the game when she hit 3-for-4 with a run scored. Mullen, Iannone, and Brunner each collected a duo of hits, with Mullen leading that group with two RBI.
- Cheyanna Weigand pushed her record up to 5-1 on the year with a win as the starter. She allowed only two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in four innings. BROOKE BIAMONTE came in relief of SAGE RIZZI in the seventh to secure the first save of the year for Montclair.
Game 2
How It Happened
- Game two kicked off with two scoreless innings before Saint Elizabeth put together a three-run top of the third to take its first lead of the afternoon doubleheader, 3-0. The runs were scored on an RBI single up the middle and a throwing error.
- Montclair responded with a two-run bottom of the fourth to make it a one-run game, 3-2. Boles led off with a double to left center and was sent to third on a single to left field by Brunner. Casillas collected an RBI on a ground out to the shortstop, and was followed by a sacrifice fly to left field by Colligan that plated Brunner.
- It was the bottom of the sixth where the Red Hawks got the run they needed to tie the game. Boles led off with a single through the right side. After back-to-back outs, Colligan delivered an RBI triple to center field for the tying run.
- Both teams retired to the sides in the seventh inning, and the game went into the eighth. With the runner placed on second for extra innings, the opportunities were there for Saint Elizabeth, who had bases-loaded with two walks, but the runners were stranded with BELLA BUCY striking two batters in the inning.
- LIZ MULLEN was placed on second in the bottom of the eighth. Iannone flied out to right to advance to third, and Boles put the ball where it needed to be, collecting the sacrifice fly deep enough into left field for Mullen to race home for the win.
Inside the Numbers
- In game two, Mullen singled through the left side for a base hit that was number 100 for her career.
- Boles and Colligan each had the multi-hit games for Montclair, both earning two with Colligan notching two RBI and Boles with one.
- Biamonte got the game two start after earning the save in game two. She pitched three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits. Bucy entered in relief for the rest of the way. She notched her fifth win after a five-inning stint where she allowed only one hit and struck out six batters along the way.
- Montclair ended its 12-game homestand with a bang and made the most out of it, going 11-1 in those games played.
Up Next
- Montclair State will hit the road for the first time in two weeks and will take on Rutgers-Newark on Tuesday, April 1. The first game is slated for 3:00 p.m.