Montclair, NJ - The Montclair State University softball team hosts its final non-conference doubleheader of the season, welcoming Baruch on Thursday  

GAME INFO
The first of two games at MSU Softball Stadium is set for 3:00 p.m. Live coverage links are available at montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
Montclair exploded for season highs in runs and hits during a doubleheader sweep of New Jersey City on Tuesday. Montclair had two hits in the first three innings, one by CARLEE IANNONE and one by ASHLEY PALMIERI, but was unable to generate any true threat offensively. New Jersey City, in the bottom of the third, reached on an error in the lead off, and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second. CARLY MOCKENHAUPT shut down the rest of the inning with two strikeouts. The top of the fourth is where the Red Hawks opened the floodgates. A fielding error allowed SOPHIA ALONSO to reach, and she stole second. Following a fly-out, LIZ MULLEN singled to the pitcher with KATIE BRUNNER striking out, but reaching on a passed ball to load the bases. Julianna Casillas pinch hit and walked in an RBI for the game's first run, but, on that same play, Mullen fooled the defense and stole home for the second run. MARIALYS RICOURT pinch hit and grounded out, but brought in Brunner for another run. ASHLEY PALMIERI walked, and both runners advanced bases on a wild pitch that set up JORDYN HESTER with a two-run RBI single up the middle. ZOE TURNER relieved Hester on the bases and stole two bases before an RBI double to left field by JAYLA VASQUEZ capped off a six-run inning to give Montclair a 6-0 lead. The Red Hawks tallied four more runs in the top of the fifth to put the game in mercy-rule territory. Iannone led off with a double to left field. MIA RIDER pinch ran and advanced to third on a passed ball. Brunner belted an RBI double to plate Rider. She stole third and scored on a throwing error that tried to catch her stealing. DYLAN BOLES reached on a walk and moved to second on a single by MOLLY COLLIGAN. Palmieri loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch, and a wild pitch scored Boles. The scoring concluded on a Vasquez sacrifice fly that allowed Colligan to plate a run for a 10-0 lead. The lead-off runner for the Gothic Knights was walked, but three-consecutive fielder's choices ended game one in favor of the Red Hawks.
 
 
MONTCLAIR STATE (20-12) 2026 Stats

BARUCH (13-15) 2026 Stats
 
SCOUTING BARUCH
The Bearcats enter this game 13-15 after splitting their doubleheader with Centenary (8-9, 14-3) on Tuesday. In 2025, Baruch compiled a 14-24 season and a 5-5 CUNYAC record. In the league's double elimination format, they lost in the first round to John Jay (3-1), bounced back for wins against Hunter (4-3) and Brooklyn (6-5), and were eliminated by John Jay (5-1). According to the 2026 CUNYAC Preseason Poll, Baruch was slated to finish fourth this season.  

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Bearcats have met 15 times in their series. Montclair has won all 15 matchups.  

LAST MEETING
These two programs met last season on March 20, where Montclair earned a doubleheader sweep with wins of 2-0 and 6-2.

UP NEXT
Montclair enters the final stretch of the season and returns to NJAC play on Saturday, April 18, for a twin bill against Rutgers-Camden.