Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University Softball team hosts an all-important NJAC doubleheader when they welcome Kean on Saturday
 
GAME INFO
The first pitch of game one from MSU Softball Stadium is slated for 1:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair secured a two-game sweep of New Jersey City by scores of 8-0 (5 Inns.) and 9-5 this past Tuesday. After a pair of scoreless innings, Montclair got things going in the bottom of the third inning. MOLLY COLLIGAN led off with a double to left field. She stole third on a Maddie Leech walk, and Leech stole second to put themselves in scoring position. A ground out put the first out on the board, but began the scoring frenzy for the Red Hawks. A passed ball scored Colligan and sent Leech to third for SOPHIA ALONSO to bring her home on an RBI single up the middle. Alonso stole second, and LIZ MULLEN got on base on a single for JORDYN HESTER, who notched an RBI single that plated Alonso. SOPHIE SCHNEIDER came in to pinch run for Hester, and both completed their trips around the bases when ABIGAIL ZEBICK grounded out, but got an RBI to score Mullen, and KATIE BRUNNER plated Schneider on an RBI single up the middle. All the runs counted towards a 5-0 lead for Montclair. NJCU's best opportunity to make waves was when they led off with a double in the top of the fourth inning, but Montclair was able to turn a double play on the next at-bat and halted any advances. The Red Hawks had a chance to win in the bottom of the fifth with the eight-run rule that forces a mercy rule, and they delivered. RILEIGH GLYNN opened the frame with a single through the right side and stole second. After a walk put Alonso on base, Mullen loaded them with a bunt single right at home plate. Hester came through with a two-RBI ball through the right side that sent home both Glynn and Alonso and put Mullen on third. CARLEE IANNONE pinch hit and delivered the final run of the game on an RBI single through the left side, and Montclair sealed game one, 8-0.
Facing two outs in the bottom of the first, Mullen singled through the left side and stole second. Hester kept the bat hot from game one and singled up the middle for an RBI as Mullen sprinted her way home for the game's opening run. Montclair extended the lead by a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. After Glynn grounded out, Alonso was hit by a pitch to put her on first. A sacrifice bunt by Mullen moved her to second, and it was once again Hester, who belted a ball into center field for an RBI double. GIANNA STREPPONE pinch ran for Hester and advanced to third on a single through the left side by Julianna Casillas. KATIE BRUNNER swung first pitch and rocketed a ball over the pitcher's head and through the legs of the second baseman for an RBI single and plated Streppone. The inning ended with Montclair holding a 3-0 edge. Having been shut out for nearly 10 innings on the day, New Jersey City put together a big top of the fifth inning. They loaded the bases on a single to left field and two walks, and scored two runs on a single to left field. It was then immediately followed by a deep ball that smacked the left field post for a three-run homer, and swiftly the Gothic Knights were on top, 5-3. The Jersey City lead did not last long, however, with Montclair responding in the bottom of the frame. Alonso singled up the middle and advanced on a wild pitch. She was immediately sent home on an RBI double by Mullen. Hester was walked and replaced on base by AVERY MOCHRIE. Casillas hit into a fielder's choice that saw Mullen get tagged at third but moved Mochrie to second. At a tied score with one out, Brunner placed a ball into left field for an RBI single and scored Mochrie to regain the lead for the Red Hawks, 6-5. In the bottom of the sixth, Montclair got the insurance runs they needed to hold a comfortable lead. Colligan opened the half inning with a single up the middle, and was followed by a bunt single by Leech. Glynn advanced both runners, and Alonso notched a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Colligan. That scored run was followed by an RBI from Mullen on a double to left field and an RBI single to left field by Mochrie to push the score out to 9-5. In the final inning, the Gothic Knights threatened with two runners on with a reach on an error and a single through the left side, but they lined into a double play forced by Colligan to Casillas. The Red Hawk defense forced the final out on the next at-bat and completed the sweep.


TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (22-10, 8-4 NJAC)
OPS: LIZ MULLEN, 1.084
Batting Average: LIZ MULLEN, .435
Hits: LIZ MULLEN, 40
Runs scored: SOPHIA ALONSO, 29
RBI: CARLEE IANNONE, 22
Doubles: LIZ MULLEN, 1
Triples: SOPHIA ALONSO, 5
Home Runs: Two Tied for 2
On Base %: LIZ MULLEN, .486
Stolen Bases: RILEIGH GLYNN, 23
 
Pitching Record: CHEYANNE WEIGAND, 8-4
Innings Pitched: SAGE RIZZI, 73.0
ERA: Bell Bucy, 1.65
WHIP: BELLA BUCY, 1.00
Strikeouts: SAGE RIZZI, 52
Opponent's Batting Average: BELLA BUCY, .213
Least amount of Hits Allowed: BELLA BUCY, 44
Least number of Runs Allowed: BELLA BUCY, 21
Saves: BROOKE BIAMONTE, 2
 
Putouts: DYLAN BOLES, 123
Assists: MOLLY COLLIGAN, 78
Fielding%: 4 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: DYLAN BOLES, 3

 
KEAN (18-16, 8-4 NJAC)
OPS: Maya Thompson, 1.083
Batting Average: Maya Thompson, .408
Hits: Brianna Sciulli, 37
Runs scored: Brianna Sciulli, 33
RBI: Maya Thompson, 30
Doubles: Maya Thompson, 10
Triples: Kiley Allen, 2
Home Runs: Two Tied at 4
On Base%: Maya Thompson, .491
Stolen Bases: Brianna Sciulli, 17
 
Pitching Record: Nikki Lusnia, 10-10
Innings Pitched: Nikki Lusnia, 115.0
ERA: Olivia Quercia 2.28
WHIP: Olivia Quercia 1.37
Strikeouts: Nikki Lusnia, 111
Opponent's Batting Average: Olivia Quercia, .233
Least amount of Hits Allowed: Olivia Quercia 41
Least number of Runs Allowed: Olivia Quercia 22
Saves: Nikki Lusnia, 1
 
Putouts: Maya Thompson, 199
Assists: Kylie Petak, 64
Fielding%: 5 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: Maya Thompson, 8
 
SCOUTING KEAN
The Cougars enter this game with a winning record of 18-16 and have been good throughout conference play with an 8-4 NJAC record, and currently sit tied for third with Montclair in the conference standings. In their last timeout on Tuesday, they split with William Paterson, losing game one 4-3, but securing a 5-3 game-two triumph. In 2024, Kean finished with a 29-14 overall record with a 13-5 NJAC record. They opened the NJAC Tournament with wins against Rutgers-Camden (8-3) and Ramapo (5-2) before falling to Rowan, 7-0, and eventually exiting with a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Ramapo. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Cougars are slated for a fifth-place finish.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Cougars face off in matchups 103 and 104 in their storied rivalry. Montclair holds the all-time series at 80-42, but Kean has won five of the last six contests.  
 
LAST MEETING
In last season's doubleheader on April 16, 2024, Kean earned a 2-1 and 9-1 sweep of Montclair in Union, NJ.
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will hit the road for a doubleheader at William Paterson on Tuesday, April 22. First pitch of game one is set for 3:00 p.m.