Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University softball team (7-6) hosted Hunter (2-8) for a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, where the Red Hawks took two games from the Hawks with an 8-0 win in five innings after game one and a 6-1 victory in game two.

Game One

How It Happened

·        ZOE TURNER led off the game with a bunt single and stole two bases to put herself in position to score on a LIZ MULLEN sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead early.

·        In the bottom of the second, DAKOTA PALMIERI singled through the right side. After an out, LEAH MONSCHEIN made a statement in her first at bat at MSU Softball Stadium, powering a ball over the left field fence for a two-run homer. Turner came back up and singled to third base. On another steal attempt, the Hunter catcher overthrew the attempt to catch her stealing, and Turner capitalized with her speed to not only reach third, but round all the way home to give Montclair a 4-0 edge.

·        Montclair tacked on another two runs in the bottom of the second inning. CARLEE IANNONE led off with a double to right center and was replaced by HAILEY KEISER, who came in to pinch run. Mullen placed down a nice bunt single, and JORDYN HESTER walked to load the bases. EMMA DEPEPPO subbed in for Hester on the bases, and an RBI fielder's choice by MARIALYS RICOURT scored Keiser for the first run. Riley Merket pinch hit for Montclair and batted in the second run on a groundout to extend the lead to 6-0.

·        After a scoreless fourth, the Red Hawks iced game one with another pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. DePeppo led off with a bunt single and stole second. A wild pitch brought her to third, where BROOKE MCHALE sent her home on an RBI single to the shortstop. A fielder's choice during MOLLY COLLIGAN's at-bat forced McHale off the bases, but Colligan stole second to put herself in scoring position. Monschein knocked down another base hit, and a throwing error advanced both runners to scoring position. After JAYLA VASQUEZ walked, a fielder's choice RBI by Turner scored the final run, and Montclair earned the mercy-rule win.

Inside the Numbers

·        The Red Hawks saw six different Red Hawks steal a base today. Leading that group was Turner, who stole three.

·        Turner, Iannone, and Monschein each nabbed multi-hit days.

·        DAKOTA PALMIERI earned the win as the starting pitcher. She went four innings and allowed just one hit. McHale finished off the day pitching in the fifth inning and allowing just two hits, and struck out a batter. They both combined for the shutout, and both each notched their first collegiate hits, including McHale, who earned her first RBI.

Game Two

How It Happened

·        Turner picked up right where she left off in game one, getting on base with a bunt single and stealing two bases. She was brought home in the same fashion as well, with a sacrifice fly by SOPHIA ALONSO for game two's first run.

·        After a pair of scoreless innings, Turner led off again. She walked and stole second. Mirroring game one was also Iannone, who blasted a ball right where Monschein did in game one, over the left field fence for a two-run home run to put the game at 3-0.

·        In the bottom of the fourth inning, KATIE BRUNNER pinch hit and hit a ball into left center for a one-out double. Vasquez was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Brunner stole third, and the throw down was launched into left field and helped Brunner round home and move Vasquez to third. Alonso stepped up to the batter's box and tripled to center field to plate Vasquez and extend the Red Hawk lead to 5-0.

·        Hunter did not allow themselves to get swept a second time. They led off with a single to third base, stole second, and moved the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. An RBI single through the right side scored Hunter's lone run of the series and cut the lead to 5-1.

·        Mullen led off the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff double to the left-center gap. An error allowed Hester to reach and advance to second, and move Mullen to third for Ricourt to earn an RBI ground out to push the lead out to 6-1.

·        Montclair's defense held strong the rest of the way to earn the sweep on the day.

Inside the Numbers

·        Montclair outscored Hunter 14-1 in today's series and out-hit the 17-8.

·        Turner stole four bases in game two for a total of seven on the day. Since being slotted in at the lead-off spot, she is averaging two per game and has already entered Montclair's Top-15 in single-season program history. With 19 already on the year, if she continues at her current pace, she will finish the season with 71 stolen bases, which would be 33 more than the program record set by Jennifer Citarella (38) back in 1996.

·        Six different Red Hawks recorded a hit in the game. Alonso and Iannone each led the team with two RBI.

·        Bella Stagliato had a great outing as the starter. She went three innings and allowed only two hits and struck out four batters.

·        In relief, CARLY MOCKENHAUPT notched the win. She went four innings and allowed one run on three hits and struck out a season high six batters.

FROM THE DIAMOND

·       Quote to be added.

Up Next

·       Montclair State University is back in action at MSU Softball Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, for a doubleheader against Brooklyn starting at 3:00 p.m.