Montclair, NJ - The Montclair State University softball team heads to New Jersey City for an NJAC doubleheader on Tuesday.
GAME INFO
The first of two games from the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex is set for 3:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair earned a split at #15 Stockton with a 3-0 win in game one and a 7-4 loss in game two. 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.
Montclair looked to carry the momentum over from game two. Alonso walked and 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.
MONTCLAIR STATE (18-12, 5-5 NJAC) 2026 Stats
NEW JERSEY CITY (3-21, 1-9 NJAC) 2026 Stats
SCOUTING STOCKTON
The Gothic Knights enter this game with a 3-21 overall record and a 1-9 NJAC record that has them at the bottom of the conference standings with Rutgers-Newark. They are currently on a seven-game skid that includes a 19-0 and 12-0 sweep by #23 Rowan on Saturday. Last season, NJCU finished 17-21, but a 2-16 conference record kept them out of the conference tournament. According to the 2026 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Gothic Knights are slated to finish 10th.
SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Gothic Knights enter matchups 55 and 56 on Tuesday. Montclair's all-time record is 51-3 and has won 19 of the last 20 matchups.
LAST MEETING
These two programs met last season on April 15, where Montclair swept with wins of 8-0 and 9-5.
UP NEXT
Montclair hosts its final non-conference slate of the season with a matchup against Baruch on Thursday, April 16. The first game of the doubleheader is set for 3:00 p.m.
