Kissimmee, NJ – The Montclair State University softball team (2-4) dropped its doubleheader matchups against WPI (2-0) by scores of 3-2 in both games on day three of The Spring Games on Tuesday.
Game One
How It Happened
· The Red Hawks got themselves on the board right off the bat. LIZ MULLEN singled to third base and moved on a sacrifice bunt by SOPHIA ALONSO. After a flyout, JORDYN HESTER plated the first run by placing the ball just over the outstretched arm of the second baseman for the 1-0 lead.
· Montclair doubled its advantage at the top of the second. Facing one out, ASHLEY PALMIERI singled to right-center and stole second. After ZOE TURNER reached on an error by the shortstop and Mullen walked, Alonso was able to force a fielder's choice RBI to score Palmieri and put the Red Hawks up 2-0.
· WPI was able to claw back to tie the game. In the bottom of the second, the Goats had runners on the corners and scored when the throw down to second on a steal missed the target and allowed the runner to score from third. In the bottom of the third, an RBI single with runners on first and second tied the game at 2-2.
· The Goats flipped the script in their favor in the bottom of the sixth. A single through the right side and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put WPI in a prime position for the go-ahead run on an RBI single to left field to take the lead 3-2.
· Palmieri led off the top of the seventh with a single through the left side, but Montclair was unable to generate anything else, and WPI took game one.
Inside the Numbers
· Palmieri led the way, batting for Montclair, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored.
· JORDAN TARABOKIA started her second game of the season. She pitched 5.0 innings and allowed four hits and two runs (one earned), but struck out seven batters.
· BROOKE MCHALE suffered the loss in relief, pitching 1.0 inning and allowing two hits and the go-ahead run (unearned).
· Despite the loss, Montclair did outhit WPI, 7-6.
Game Two
How It Happened
· WPI took advantage right out of the gates to jump out to an early lead. They opened the game with a double down the left field line and stole third. That allowed the runner to score on a fielding error for the game's first run.
· The Goats followed it up in the top of the second inning with a two-RBI triple to right field to take a 3-0 advantage.
· After not being able to generate much during the course of the game, the Red Hawks put together a strong sixth-inning performance to cut the lead to one. Palmieri led off with a single through the gap and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Turner. While a fielder's choice saw Palmieri get tagged off, Mullen reached. Alonso singled down the left field line and set up CARLEE IANNONE for a two-RBI shot to right center that cut the lead to 3-2.
· The defense came through in the seventh, but the offense could not put a final rally together, getting retired to suffer the doubleheader sweep.
Inside the Numbers
· BELLA STAGLIANO took the loss as the starter. She went 1.1 innings and three runs (two earned) and three hits, but struck out two batters.
· CARLY MOCKENHAUPT pitched 5.2 innings of relief. She allowed no runs on four hits and struck out five batters.
· Alonso went 2-for-3 in game two with a run scored.
· Palmieri finished the day with four hits.
FROM THE DIAMOND
· Quote to be added.
Up Next
· Montclair State University will look to bounce back the next day on Wednesday, March 11, when it faces off with Catholic (10:00 a.m.) and Carlow (12:30 p.m.).
