Montclair, NJ – Montclair State University softball coach Nicole Degenhardt hit a major coaching milestone on Thursday, earning win number 300 as a head coach as the Red Hawks (6-6) swept Stevens, 8-0 in five innings and 4-3.
Game One
How It Happened
· Montclair took advantage right in the first inning. ZOE TURNER walked in the lead off and stole second. She was moved to third on a groundout and scored thanks to a wild pitch. CARLEE IANNONE also reached on a walk and rounded to third on a KATIE BRUNNER double to right field. LIZ MULLEN was able to bat in Iannone and reach on an error that also allowed Brunner to round home for a two-run play. She eventually made it to third and was joined in a bases-loaded situation by Julianna Casillas and ASHLEY PALMIERI, where JAYLA VASQUEZ was hit by a pitch to bring Mullen home for the final run of the inning and put Montclair up 4-0.
· Stevens threatened at the top of the second, reaching on a single to left field and a walk, but a nice defensive stop by MOLLY COLLIGAN at third to get a force out and a ground out to ASHLEY PALMIERI got them out of the inning.
· Between the second and fifth innings, Montclair's best opportunity came from a Mullen double to left center to lead off the bottom of the third, but she was left stranded.
· After stymying the Ducks' offense, the Red Hawks put the stamp on game one in the fifth inning. Iannone blasted a ball over the left field fence in the lead-off to push the lead to 5-0. After two outs, Casillas walked and was moved to second on a Colligan single up the middle. JORDYN HESTER pinch-hit for Palmieri and reached on an error by the Stevens shortstop. Palmieri re-entered to run, and Vasquez pulled through with a two-RBI single to second base that plated Colligan and Casillas. RILEY MERKEL invoked the mercy rule in a pinch-hitter role, batting an RBI single up the middle for the 8-0 win.
Inside the Numbers
· Eight different Red Hawks contributed hits in the game, with Iannone, Brunner, and Mullen contributing the extra-base hits.
· JORDAN TARABOKIA earned the win and her third shutout of the season. She went the distance and allowed only two hits and struck out two batters.
· Vasquez's three RBI tied a career high that she had last season against Hunter on March 18.
Game Two
How It Happened
· The Ducks came alive in game two during the first inning. They used an RBI double to left center and an RBI single to center field to go up 2-0 early.
· In the bottom of the frame, Turner once again led off with a walk and stole second. SOPHIA ALONSO singled to third base, and Iannone was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Mullen was able to plate Turner on an RBI single through the left side, but Stevens tightened up its defense and kept the lead by only allowing that run.
· Stevens extended the lead back to two runs on an RBI double to left field for a 3-1 lead.
· It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that Montclair rallied. Vasquez led off with a double to right-center. After a strikeout, Alonso put down a well-placed bunt for a single and helped Vasquez move to third. With runners on the corners, Iannone drove in Vasquez on a fielder's choice. Mullen followed up with a double to right-center, and a mishandle in center field allowed Iannone to round all the way home to tie the game at 3-3.
· The seventh inning is where the game came alive again. Stevens opened the top of the frame with a single through the right side. The next batter popped a ball over pitcher BROOKE MCHALE's head to Palmieri, who dove, but could not secure the ball on the pop out, but they were able to get the force at second. A fielder's choice once again kept a runner off second, but another single put a Duck in scoring position. The Red Hawk defense held strong to keep the game tied entering the bottom of the seventh.
· Following a groundout, Mullen belted a double to left center, and was followed by Brunner, who smacked the ball into the same spot. Mullen rounded for home, and the throw at the plate was on time, but the tag was not made, and the game ended with an RBI double by Brunner to walk off the game for Degenhardt's 300th win.
Inside the Numbers
· The team ended the day with eight extra-base hits, including seven doubles. Mullen led the day with three, and Brunner with two. Mullen also hit 3-for-4 in this second game.
· Montclair stole seven bases today, led by Turner with three
· CARLY MOCKENHAUPT got the start, but only saw two innings of work. She allowed three runs on five hits and struck out a batter.
· Brook McHale entered in relief and earned the win. In five innings of work, she allowed no runs and only three hits. She also struck out no batters.
FROM THE DIAMOND
· Quote to be added.
Up Next
· Montclair State University returns to New Jersey and will host its first out-of-state contests of the season, welcoming Stevens for a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 18, starting at 3:00 p.m.
