Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team looks to bounce back in conference play as it faces off with Kean on Tuesday.   
 
GAME INFO
The first of two games is set for 3:00 p.m. in Union. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair was bested in their NJAC-opening doubleheader at #10 Rowan by scores of 8-2 and 2-0. Rowan pushed out in front in the bottom of the first inning. They led off with a single to third base, but KATIE BRUNNER caught her stealing with a throw down to LIZ MULLEN. Facing two outs, the Profs battled back with a double to right center and a single to the pitcher to set up an RBI single down the left field line for the game's first run. Both defenses held firm until the bottom of the fifth inning, where a four-run frame for Rowan pushed them out to a comfortable lead of 5-0. Those runs were scored on an RBI double to left center, a fielding error, an RBI single to right center, and a ground-out RBI to third base. The Red Hawks cut into the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth. Facing one out, ZOE TURNER singled to third base and stole second. SOPHIA ALONSO walked to first and was followed by CARLEE IANNONE, who saw her fly ball to right field get dropped and allowed Turner to round home. With only one out still, Mullen notched an RBI on a groundout to the shortstop and made the score 5-2. Rowan answered back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. RBI singles up the middle, through the left side, and a fielder's choice RBI extended the Rowan lead to 8-2. The Profs retired the side in the top of the seventh to secure the game-one win.
Montclair looked to turn the tide in game two. Turner singled to the catcher, but was left stranded. The Red Hawks' best opportunity to score came at the top of the second. RILEY MERKEL walked in the lead off and was sent to second on a single to the pitcher by Julianna Casillas. Following a foul out to third, Colligan loaded the bases on a walk, but Rowan got out of the jam by forcing a lineout and a groundout.  After another scoreless inning, Rowan broke through in the bottom of the third, where a triple to right center was followed by an RBI double to the opposite gap for the game's first run. An RBI single to right center eventually plated another run, and the Profs took a 2-0 lead. Merkel and Casillas created another opportunity at the top of the fourth with singles to left field. Rowan once again halted Montclair, forcing a 163 double play and a fly out to stymie the Red Hawks again. The final true opportunity for Montclair came at the top of the fifth. ASHLEY PALMIERI singled up the middle and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by JAYLA VASQUEZ. A strikeout swinging and a ground out to short once again left a runner on, and Rowan held firm the rest of the way to earn the NJAC opening sweep. 
 
 MONTCLAIR STATE (10-8, 0-2 NJAC): 2026 Statistics

KEAN (11-11, 0-2 NJAC): 2026 Statistics
 
SCOUTING KEAN
The Cougars enter this showdown at .500 with an 11-11 overall record, but mirror a 0-2 NJAC record after falling to Ramapo by scores of 9-2 and 1-0. Last season, Kean finished at .500 with a 22-22 overall record and posted a 10-8 record in the NJAC. In the conference tournament's double-elimination format, they fell to Stockton, 6-1, rallied for wins against TCNJ (10-2) and Montclair (6-2), before being eliminated by Rowan, 11-0. According to the 2026 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Cougars are slated to finish fifth this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Cougars have met 125 times in their long-standing series that dates back to 1969. Montclair is ahead of the series at 80-45, but Kean has gotten the better of them as of late, winning the past five matchups and nine of the last 10.
 
LAST MEETING
These two teams met last in the third round of the NJAC playoffs, where, after nine innings, Kean pulled away with a 9-2 win to eliminate Montclair from the postseason.     
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University is back to non-conference action at MSU Softball Stadium on Thursday, April 2, against Farmingdale State. First pitch of game one is set for 3:00 p.m.