Mahwah, NJ – The Montclair State University softball team (23-16) fought hard, but late runs from Ramapo (29-7) sunk the Red Hawks in the first round of the NJAC Tournament, 5-0 on Tuesday evening.

How It Happened

• Ramapo made the first push for the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Facing two outs, they put runners on the corners on two consecutive Montclair errors, but KATIE BRUNNER got the Red Hawks out of the inning when she caught a popped-up bunt attempt, and the game remained scoreless.
• In the top of the third, RILEIGH GLYNN saw a two-out single to third base and stole second but was left stranded.
• After retiring the side in the bottom of the third, Montclair saw a golden opportunity to take advantage in the top of the fourth. After two strikeouts, JORDYN HESTER singled to the shortstop and was replaced on base by GIANNA STREPPONE. Brunner singled through the left side to move Streppone to third, and was followed by MARIALYS RICOURT, who pinch hit and reached on an error by the shortstop and loaded the bases. The Roadrunners got in and out of trouble with a third strikeout in the frame and kept the Red Hawks off the scoreboard.
• Both defenses held strong until the bottom of the sixth inning, where Ramapo broke the game wide open. They led off with a hard hit single to second base and advanced the runner to second on a sacrifice bunt. SAGE RIZZI got the strikeout she needed to put it at two outs, but Ramapo found the gap in right field and plated the first runner of the game. From there, two Montclair errors, an RBI single to the shortstop, and an RBI double to left center gave Ramapo a comfortable five-run lead heading into the final inning, where they stayed firm and retired the side to secure the first-round win.

Inside the Numbers

• Hester led the game with two hits, going 2-for-3 in the game.
• Brunner and RILEIGH GLYNN were the only other Red Hawks to generate hits in the game.
• Rizzi suffered the loss inside the circle. She pitched 5.2 innings and allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits and struck out a batter. CHEYANNE WEIGAND capped off the game with a strikeout.

Up Next

• Montclair State will travel to Kean on Saturday, May 3, and will play the loser of the matchup between top-seeded and #2 Rowan and fourth-seeded Stockton at 3:00 p.m. The Rowan-Stockton matchup will also take place at Kean and will be played at 11:00 a.m.