Montclair, NJ- The sixth-seeded Montclair State University Softball team seeks to continue its path for an NJAC title when it faces off with fifth-seeded Kean on Thursday.
GAME INFO
The game will take place at Cougar Softball field at 6:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Early runs helped Montclair stay alive in the NJAC Tournament and eliminate third-seeded Stockton, 6-4, this past Saturday. Montclair came out of the gates hot in the bottom of the first inning. RILEIGH GLYNN was walked in the lead off. She made it all the way to third base on a stolen base and a wild pitch. LIZ MULLEN got Montclair on the board with an RBI single to left field and the game's first run. JORDYN HESTER followed up with a moon shot over the center-field fence for two more runs. After KATIE BRUNNER singled up the middle, an RBI double by MOLLY COLLIGAN kept the runs coming, and the big opening inning was capped off by an RBI single down the left field line by Julianna Casillas to give the Red Hawks a 5-0 advantage. Stockton clawed back from an early deficit with a four-run top of the second. They loaded the bases with three straight singles. From there, an RBI single, fielder's choice RBI, and a two-RBI single down the right field line cut the score to 5-4. After a scoreless second inning, Montclair collected another run in the bottom of the third inning. CARLEE IANNONE led off with a single to right field and was replaced on base by GIANNA STREPPONE. Brunner reached on a fielder's choice but Streppone reached second when she beat out the throw to second by the pitcher. Colligan batted in another run on an RBI single to right center that plated Streppone. The Red Hawks had to more runners in scoring position but could not bring them home, and the game was put at 6-4, Montclair. Defense held strong between both teams, and the game remained 6-4 heading into the final inning. Stockton had an opening with two outs, they put runners on the corners after a throwing error, and a single to the pitcher put the tying run on first and the go-ahead run at home. Stockton belted one to the left field wall but Glynn made the play at the wall to earn the playoff victory.
 

TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (24-16)
OPS: SOPHIA ALONSO, .990
Batting Average: Two Tied for .393
Hits: SOPHIA ALONSO, 48
Runs scored: SOPHIA ALONSO, 33
RBI: CARLEE IANNONE, 29
Doubles: LIZ MULLEN, 13
Triples: SOPHIA ALONSO, 6
Home Runs: JORDYN HESTER, 4
On Base %: SOPHIA ALONSO, .449
Stolen Bases: RILEIGH GLYNN, 36
 
Pitching Record: SAGE RIZZI, 9-8
Innings Pitched: SAGE RIZZI, 105.0
ERA: Bell Bucy, 1.65
WHIP: BELLA BUCY, 1.00
Strikeouts: SAGE RIZZI, 65
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, 144
Assists: MOLLY COLLIGAN, 94
Fielding%: 3 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: MOLLY COLLIGAN, 4

KEAN (21-21)
OPS: Maya Thompson, .983
Batting Average: Maya Thompson, .375
Hits: Brianna Sciulli, 50
Runs scored: Brianna Sciulli, 37
RBI: Maya Thompson, 34
Doubles: Maya Thompson, 10
Triples: Three Tied for 2
Home Runs: Two Tied for 5
On Base%: Maya Thompson, .458
Stolen Bases: Brianna Sciulli, 19
 
Pitching Record: Nikki Lusnia, 11-11
Innings Pitched: Nikki Lusnia, 126.1
ERA: Nikki Lusinia 2.83
WHIP: Nikki Lusnia, 1.44
Strikeouts: Nikki Lusnia, 124
Opponent's Batting Average: Nikki Lusnia, .243
Least amount of Hits Allowed: Olivia Quercia 54
Least number of Runs Allowed: Olivia Quercia 33
Saves: Nikki Lusnia, 1
 
Putouts: Maya Thompson, 232
Assists: Kylie Petak, 73
Fielding%: 5 Tied at 1.000
Double Plays: Maya Thompson, 9
 
SCOUTING KEAN
The Cougars enter this matchup at 21-21 and are the fifth seed in the NJAC Tournament. After suffering a 6-1 loss in its first-round matchup against Stockton, they were able to defeat and eliminate second-seeded TCNJ, 10-2 in five innings in their last matchup.  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 were slated for a fifth-place finish.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Cougars will face off in contest number 105 in their storied rivalry, and it will be the first time they face off in the NJAC Tournament since 2019. While Montclair still holds the all-time record at 80-44, Kean has won seven of the last eight contests they faced off in.

LAST MEETING
These two teams met last on April 19 in a Saturday doubleheader where Kean blanked Montclair by scores of 9-0 (6 inns.) and 4-0
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University, with a win, will take on the loser of the matchup between Rowan and Ramapo on Saturday, May 10. The game will be held at Rowan University at 2:00 p.m.