Montclair, NJ- Montclair State University softball is back up north and will host its first home doubleheader of the season against Stevens on Thursday.  

GAME INFO
The matchups at MSU Softball Stadium start with the first game at 2:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
Montclair wrapped up its time at The Spring Games with a no-hitter against Dean (8-0), but fell to Loras (8-0) in its final game. After a pair of scoreless innings, Montclair notched the first run of the game in the top of the third inning. MOLLY COLLIGAN walked in the lead off and was sent to third on a double into the left gap by Julianna Casillas. Dean looked like it was going to get out of the jam after Montclair hit into a double play, but a wild pitch allowed Casillas to get to third, and an error on the third baseman allowed her to reach home for the 1-0 lead. The Red Hawks pushed their advantage out to 2-0 in the next inning. Facing one out, KATIE BRUNNER singled to second base and circled the bases on an RBI double to right-center by LIZ MULLEN. Montclair ran away with the game at the top of the fifth. Casillas walked in the lead off and was followed by a single through the left side by ASHLEY PALMIERI. Following a passed ball that moved both runners, SOPHIA ALONSO nabbed an RBI single up the middle to plate Casillas. On that same play, an error by the center fielder helped score Palmieri and move Alonso to second for CARLEE IANNONE to bat her home on an RBI double to left center. MIA RIDER replaced Iannone on base, and she took advantage of a wild pitch that rolled around the backstop long enough for her to score. The inning ended with a 6-0 lead for the Red Hawks. After an out in the lead off of the top of the sixth, Casillas got on base again with a single to third base. After ZOE TURNER nabbed a hit to second, both runners stole to put themselves in scoring position for Alonso to bat the pair in on a two-RBI single through the right side for an 8-0 edge. Tarabokia closed out the game with two strikeouts and forced a pop-up to third base to seal the run-rule win and the no-hitter. The Duhawks took the lead in the first inning when three hits turned into two scores on RBI singles to left field and third base for a 2-0 edge. CARLEE IANNONE saw a double to left field, but was left on base at the bottom of the frame. Loras was able to score one run in the next two innings on an RBI single through the right side and on a fielder's choice error that allowed a run to score and gave the Duhawks a 4-0 lead. In the top of the fourth inning, was when Loras broke away with the game, matching their game total with four runs in the inning. Those runs were scored on a two-RBI double to left field, an RBI single to center field, and a fielder's choice RBI to go up 8-0. Montclair did not have an answer and fell in five innings.
 
MONTCLAIR STATE (4-6): 2026 Statistics

STEVENS (9-5): 2026 Statistics
 
SCOUTING STEVENS
The Ducks enter this twin bill with a 9-5 overall record. They are winners of their last five games, including a doubleheader rout of Hunter by scores of 11-3 and 17-0 this past Sunday. Last season, Stevens was under .500 with a 20-22 overall record, but a 9-5 MAC Freedom record that helped them qualify for the conference tournament. In a double-elimination format, they exited early with losses to Misericordia (8-4) and DeSales (3-2). According to the 2026 MAC Freedom Preseason Poll, the Ducks are projected to place third this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Ducks matchup for contests seven and eight since 2022. Stevens has the edge in the series at 4-2.  

LAST MEETING
Their last doubleheader against each other was on April 21, 2024. Stevens earned a clean sweep with five-inning wins of 10-2 in both matchups.
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University remains home for a doubleheader against Hunter on Saturday, March 21. The first game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.