Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University softball team (20-8, 6-2 NJAC) earned a big New Jersey Athletic Conference sweep when they downed Ramapo (21-4, 5-3 NJAC) by an extra-inning score of 3-2 in game one and 3-1 in game two during their doubleheader on Thursday.

Game 1

How It Happened

• Montclair put the pressure on Ramapo right out of the gate. In the bottom of the first frame, SOPHIA ALONSO led off with a single through the right side and was followed by a bunt single by RILEIGH GLYNN. LIZ MULLEN plated Alonso for the first run of the game on an RBI double to left field. The Red Hawks did have a chance to score more runs. KATIE BRUNNER struck out, but was able to reach first on an error by the catcher when she let the swinging strike pass her, but was able to recover and through back to the pitcher to get Glynn out at the plate. Ramapo was also able to avoid the runners in scoring position opportunity with Brunner at second and Mullen at third, and fell only behind, 1-0, after one.
• Defense held strong until the top of the fourth when Ramapo flipped the game in its favor. They led off with a single with ricocheted off third base and advanced a runner to second on a sacrifice bunt. An RBI single tied the game up 1-1. The Roadrunners loaded the bases and scored another run on a sacrifice fly to take the lead, 2-1. Montclair kept the floodgates closed after that score and held the game at a one-run lead.
• Montclair needed an answer and got it in the bottom of the sixth. After a lead-off ground out, Brunner was walked and got to second on a MARIALYS RICOURT single to the shortstop. MOLLY COLLIGAN singled to third base and loaded the bases for the Red Hawks. In a big spot, JULIA LUCZAK put the ball deep into right field and set up a sacrifice fly that sent Brunner home and nodded the contest at 2-2.
• Both Ramapo and Montclair had opportunities to take advantage in the final inning in regulation. The two teams each saw a runner in scoring position, but each defense held strong, and the game went into extra innings.
• With a runner starting on second in the eighth, the Roadrunners advanced her to third on a sacrifice bunt to put her in a prime spot for a score. A huge strikeout from SAGE RIZZI shut down the opportunity for a sacrifice fly, and a pop-up to Mullen put Montclair in the driver's seat to win.
• BROOKE BIAMONTE pinch ran for Boles, who was placed on second to begin the inning. Brunner mimicked the Ramapo sacrifice bunt that helped move Biamonte to third with one out. The difference was Ricourt, who came through with the fly ball the team needed into the outfield in center field that became a sacrifice fly when Biamonte scored the game-winning run and sealed a 3-2 triumph for the Red Hawks.

Inside the Numbers

• Glynn was a perfect 3-for-3 in the contest and stole two bases in the game.
• Ricourt got her first start since March 15 and made the most of it, bringing in the game-winning RBI and notching a hit in the game.
• Rizzi picked up her seventh win inside the circle this season. She pitched all eight innings and allowed only two runs on three hits and struck out five batters.

Game 2

How It Happened

• Replicating game one, Montclair got on the board first in the bottom of the opening frame. RILEIGH GLYNN singled down the left field line and stole second. She advanced to third on a Mullen fly out and completed her trip around the bases with Ricourt collecting an RBI single to center field to put Montclair up 1-0.
• Ramapo answered in the following half inning. They led off with a bunt single and stole second. A single down the left field line and a walk loaded the bases, and they scored on a fielder's choice RBI to tie the game 1-1. They loaded the bases again, but Montclair was able to get out of trouble and kept the game tied.
• The bottom of the third inning is where Montclair regained the lead. Glynn kept her hot night going with a single to the shortstop once again stole second. Mullen plated her on the next at-bat with an RBI single up the middle, and the Red Hawks held a 2-1 advantage.
• After avoiding giving up a run with two runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth, the Red Hawks extended the lead in the bottom frame when JAYLA VASQUEZ got a chunk of a pitch and sent a ball well over the right field fence for her second home run in a week and put Montclair up, 3-1.
• Ramapo threatened with a lead-off double in the bottom of the sixth but was halted again by good defense. The top of the seventh was a one-two-three punch out for Montclair, and they completed a big sweep of the red-hot Roadrunners.

Inside the Numbers

• Montclair stymied a three-year sweep that Ramapo had on them and got the better of a team that had only two losses heading into the afternoon/evening doubleheader.
• Glynn added another two hits to her daily total to go along with two more stolen bases and two runs scored. She finished five-for-six on the day, hitting with four stolen bases.
• CHEYANNE WEIGAND improved her record to 7-1 on the season. She pitched the whole seven-inning game, and while she surrendered eight hits, only one run came from them. She also retired four batters on strikeouts.

Up Next

• Montclair State will look to ride this momentum into Saturday, April 12, when they travel to take on The College of New Jersey. First pitch of game one of the NJAC showdown is marked for 1:00 p.m.