Galloway, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team (18-12, 5-5 NJAC) saw two long balls in game one that helped them split with #15 Stockton (22-4, 8-2 NJAC) in its NJAC doubleheader on Saturday. Montclair won game one 3-0 and then fell in game two, 7-4.
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GAME ONE
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Montclair saw a golden opportunity to score right at the top of the first inning as JAYLA VASQUEZ, SOPHIA ALONSO, and CARLEE IANNONE all worked walks. Stockton forced a triple play that eliminated any damage.
- KATIE BRUNNER came through for Montclair in the top of the second. She opened the frame and belted a ball over the center-field fence to give Montclair a 1-0 lead.
- The Ospreys sought to even the score in the bottom of the second. Two walks and a single down through the left side loaded the bases with one out, but the Red Hawks got out of the jam with a lineout to CARLY MOCKENHAUPT and a groundout to MOLLY COLLIGAN.
- Both teams put a runner in scoring position in the fourth inning. Brunner collected a base hit through the left side and advanced to second on a single to left field, but both were left stranded. Stockon hit a lead-off single to center field and moved the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out, but could not drive her home.
- The Red Hawks threatened again in the fifth inning. With one out, a fielding error in center field allowed Alonso to reach and advance to second. Brunner and LIZ MULLEN each walked to load the bases again, but saw another three runners stranded.
- The sixth inning is where Montclair broke through. Facing two outs, ZOE TURNER singled to left field and stole second. JAYLA VASQUEZ stepped up and cracked a home run to center field to extend the Montclair lead to 3-0.
- Montclair retired the side in the final two innings to secure the win.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Vasquez hit her first home run of the season, while Brunner nabbed her second.
- Iannone and ASHLEY PALMIERI each finished 2-for-3 in the contest.
- Mockenhaupt pitched the complete-game shutout. She allowed five hits and struck out four batters.
- The win against Stockton was the team's first win against a ranked team since 2018, when they beat Kean, who was also #15.
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GAME TWO
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Montclair looked to carry the momentum over from game two. Alonso walked a was brought all the way home on an RBI double to right field by Iannone for a 1-0 lead.
- Stockton clawed back and put together a three-run bottom of the first. They scored on a two-RBI single to left field and an RBI single to center to take a 3-1 lead.
- A double and a bunt single put runners on for a two-RBI single to right field for the Ospreys to extend the lead to 5-1.
- The Red Hawks had an opportunity in the top of the fourth inning. Brunner reached on an error in the lead-off and was shadowed by a bunt single by EMMA DEPEPPO. Colligan put down a sacrifice bunt for both runners, but Stockton left the runners stranded.
- In the bottom of the fifth, Stockton extended the lead to 7-1 with a walk and a two-run homer over to left field.
- Montclair did not go down without a fight, however. Vasquez led off with a double and moved to third with an Alonso single up the middle. Alonso stole second, and Iannone walked for Mullen to belt a two-RBI double to center field. Following two outs, Colligan connected on an RBI single through the left side. The last out was recorded following Colligan's at-bat and the score went final at 7-4 Ospreys.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Despite the loss, Montclair outhit Stockton, 11-9. Eight different Red Hawks had a base hit, with Vasquez, Alonso, and Iannone each having two. Iannone finished her day with a team-high of four.
- JORDAN TARABOKIA suffered the loss inside the circle. In four innings of work, she allowed seven hits and five runs (two earned).
- EMILY LESHIK put together a good outing in relief. She went 1.2 innings and didn't allow a run or hit, and struck out three batters.
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FROM THE DIAMOND
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UP NEXT
- Montclair hits the road for an NJAC twin bill at New Jersey City on Tuesday, April 14. The first of two games is set for 3:00 p.m.