Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University Softball team hits the road for the final time of the 2025 regular season when they take on William Paterson on Tuesday.
 
GAME INFO
The first pitch of game one from WPU Softball Field is slated for 3:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair was blanked in its home doubleheader against NJAC foe Kean, 9-0 (6 Inns.) and 4-0 on Saturday. Montclair saw two runners in scoring position in the first and third innings with SOPHIA ALONSO (first) and RILEIGH GLYNN (third) both walking and stealing second to put themselves in scoring position, but both were left stranded. The top of the fourth was where Kean put the first runs of the game on the board with an RBI triple and an RBI single to center field for a 2-0 advantage. Kean allowed just one hit in the bottom of that frame to JORDYN HESTER on a single through the right side and then, in the top of the fifth, extended the lead to 5-0. They scored on RBI singles up the middle and to right field as well as a ground-out RBI. Three errors and an RBI single to left center put Kean out in front in the top of the sixth and invoked the run-rule heading into the bottom of the sixth with a 9-0 lead. Alonso walked and stole second in the bottom of the sixth but was stranded once again, and Montclair fell in game one.
After holding off a runner in scoring position in the opening half inning, SOPHIA ALONSO was walked and sent to third on a LIZ MULLEN double down the left field line to put them both in scoring position. Montclair was unable to capitalize, however, and the game remained at 0-0. The game was a defensive battle with no team giving way until a two-run homer over the left-center fence pushed the Cougars out in front, 2-0. After both sides were retired in the fifth, Kean extended the lead to 4-0 on an RBI double to left center and a throwing error. Montclair saw three people on base the rest of the way with Alonso hitting a single up the middle in the sixth and ABIGAIL ZEBICK walking and a KATIE BRUNNER single up the middle in the seventh, but were never able to get a run on the board, and Kean completed the shutout sweep.


TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (22-12, 8-6 NJAC)
OPS: LIZ MULLEN, 1.050
Batting Average: LIZ MULLEN, .418
Hits: LIZ MULLEN, 41
Runs scored: SOPHIA ALONSO, 29
RBI: CARLEE IANNONE, 22
Doubles: LIZ MULLEN, 12
Triples: SOPHIA ALONSO, 5
Home Runs: Two Tied for 2
On Base %: LIZ MULLEN, .468
Stolen Bases: RILEIGH GLYNN, 24
 
Pitching Record: CHEYANNE WEIGAND, 8-5
Innings Pitched: SAGE RIZZI, 86.1
ERA: Bell Bucy, 1.65
WHIP: BELLA BUCY, 1.00
Strikeouts: SAGE RIZZI, 60
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, 130
Assists: MOLLY COLLIGAN, 81
Fielding%: 4 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: MOLLY COLLIGAN, 4

 
WILLIAM PATERSON (18-16, 8-4 NJAC)
OPS: Brandi Shortway, .861
Batting Average: Brandi Shortway, .345
Hits: Brandi Shortway, 29
Runs scored: Taylor Palmieri, 18
RBI: Brandi Shortway, 14
Doubles: Lilah Guthy, 8
Triples: Brandi Shortway, 2
Home Runs: Hailey Backo, 1
On Base%: Brandi Shortway, .421
Stolen Bases: Two Tied for 6
 
Pitching Record: Lilah Guthy, 8-6
Innings Pitched: Lilah Guthy, 94.0
ERA: Lilah Guthy, 3.65
WHIP: Lilah Guthy, 1.44
Strikeouts: Lilah Guthy, 27
Opponent's Batting Average: Lilah Guthy, .311
Least amount of Hits Allowed: Stephanie Ciravolo, 58
Least number of Runs Allowed: Stephanie Ciravolo, 32
Saves: Three Tied at 1
 
Putouts: Samantha Campos, 199
Assists: Hailey Backo, 71
Fielding%: 6 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: Hailey Backo, 7
 
SCOUTING WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers enter this doubleheader at .500 with a 15-15 overall record and a 7-7 NJAC record that has them in eighth place in the NJAC after sweeping Rutgers-Camden, 8-5 and 6-4 this past Saturday. In 2024, William Paterson finished 5-27 and 3-15 in NJAC play and missed the NJAC Tournament. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason Poll, they are slated to place eighth this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Pioneers will renew their historic rivalry with matchups 124 and 125. Montclair has the series advantage at 73-50.   
 
LAST MEETING
In last season's doubleheader on April 23, 2025, Montclair earned a sweep with wins of 4-2 and 8-3. 
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will honor its 10 seniors before wrapping up the regular season on Saturday, April 26, against #2 Rowan. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.