Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team opens up NJAC play with a tough test, battling Rowan in doubleheader action on Sunday.  
 
GAME INFO
The matchups down at Rowan Softball Field are set to begin at 1:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair had an impressive showing with shutout wins of 8-0 and 4-0 against Brooklyn on Wednesday.  Montclair used a big first inning to take command of game one. Facing one out, SOPHIA ALONSO put down a bunt single and stole second. A throwing error on the next at-bat allowed KATIE BRUNNER to reach and get to second, and let Alonso get all the way home for the game's first score. Mullen nabbed her own bunt single and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for MARIALYS RICOURT to bat home Brunner with an RBI single through the left side. With runners on the corners again, Ricourt attempted to steal second and was caught stealing, but Mullen stole home to plate another run. RILEY MERKEL was walked, and MOLLY COLLIGAN singled to the shortstop to set up a two-RBI double to right center by LEAH MONSCHEIN that capped off the strong first inning with a 5-0 Montclair lead. While it took a few innings for the offense to get going again, Montclair's defense was firm. Led by starting pitcher JORDAN TARABOKIA, Montclair retired the batters in order through the first three innings. Brooklyn's only two hits of the game came in the top of the fourth, but Montclair was able to get out of the inning with the shutout. In the bottom of the fourth frame, facing two outs, Alonso tripled to right center and scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 6-0. Montclair forced the run-rule in the bottom of the fifth. MIA RIDER led off with a single, but a fielder's choice took her off the base. EMMA DEPEPPO came in to pinch run for Ricourt and stole second. After Merkel singled through the left side, she helped orchestrate a double steal that DePeppo scored on. Julianna Casillas ended the game on an RBI double to left center, and Montclair secured an 8-0 win.
 
Following a pair of scoreless innings, Montclair scored its first runs in the bottom of the third. Alonso placed down her second bunt single and stole second. She scored on an RBI triple by LIZ MULLEN and crossed home on the next at-bat by Jordayn Hester on an RBI double to left center to hold a 2-0 lead. The Red Hawks extended the lead to 3-0 when Casillas was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI single by Monschein in the bottom of the fourth. Montclair went up 4-0 in the following inning. Alonso singled up the middle and stole second. Hester reached on a throwing error that allowed Alonso to round all the way home for the score. CARLY MOCKENHAUPT, Montclair's game two starter, was on the cusp of history at the top of the seventh. With a perfect game just three outs away, she secured a groundout and struck out a batter looking. Brooklyn spoiled it with a single up the middle. Mockenhaupt struck out the final batter and still secured the win for the Red Hawks.
 
 MONTCLAIR STATE (10-6): 2026 Statistics

ROWAN (15-5): 2026 Statistics
 
SCOUTING ROWAN
The Profs enter this NJAC-opening slate at the #10 team in the country according to the NFCA Division III Coaches Poll. They garner a 15-5 record and split their last doubleheader, falling in the first game to #25 Eastern, 4-2, but bouncing back for an 8-0 win in game two in six innings. Last season, Rowan was dominant with a 49-4 overall record and a 17-1 NJAC record. In the conference's double-elimination tournament, they defeated Stockton, 2-0, before falling to Ramapo, 2-0. They rallied back and rolled through the rest of the tournament with wins against Kean (11-0), and two against Ramapo (5-2 & 9-2) to win back-to-back NJAC crowns. Rowan advanced through both regional rounds to make it to the World Series tournament, where they defeated Texas Lutheran (5-0), before bowing out with losses to Trine (5-1) and Randolph Macon (1-0). The Profs are once again the favorites to win the conference title according to the 2026 NJAC Preseason Poll.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Profs have faced off against each other 135 times in their rivalry that dates back to 1974. Rowan holds the series at 77-54 and has won the past 14 matchups against Montclair.
 
LAST MEETING
Last season, Rowan clinched the NJAC Regular-Season title with wins of 10-0 (6 Inns.) and 5-4 against Montclair on April 25.    
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University heads to Kean for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 31. The first game is set to begin at 3:00 p.m.