Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team (22-12) made history on Thursday evening as they broke the single-season stolen bases record as a team during a doubleheader sweep against Baruch (13-17) on Thursday. The Red Hawks won by scores of 11-3 (5 Inns.) and 8-2.
 
GAME ONE
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks took control in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, SOPHIA ALONSO put down a bunt single and stole second. LIZ MULLEN walked, and following a flyout, Montclair saw the runs flow. DYLAN BOLES walked to load the bases, and the Red Hawks scored on the following sequences: a bases-loaded walk, a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a bases-loaded walk, a wild pitch, a throwing error by the catcher, and another wild pitch that handed Montclair a 6-0 lead.
• Baruch scored in the top of the third inning, when a walk and a single through the left side set up an RBI double to left center and put the score at 6-1.
• Montclair answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. JORDYN HESTER led off with a walk and was subbed out on base by Emme DePeppo. Boles singled down the left field line, and BROOKE MCHALE juiced the bases on a walk. Despite lining out into a double play, ASHLEY PALMIERI was hit by a pitch, and Julianna Casillas walked to drive in a run for a 7-1 edge.
• In the bottom of the fourth inning, Alonso once again put down a well-executed bunt single and stole second. Mullen walked and stole second to put two runners in scoring position. A wild pitch scored Alonso and placed Mullen on second for Boles to nab a sacrifice fly out to left field for a 9-1 advantage.
• The Bearcats forced a bottom of the fifth with a two-run top of the frame. A walk, a hit by pitch, and a single to the pitcher loaded the bases for a two-RBI double down the left field line that cut the lead to 9-3.
• The Red Hawks were able to ice the game in the bottom of the fifth. Palmieri led off with a single to left center and advanced to second on a collision between outfielders. LEAH MONSCHEIN batted an RBI single to left field to plate Palmieri. What was believed to be a third bunt single Alonso turned into a sacrifice bunt upon replay review, showing her out at first base, but MIA RIDER pinch hit and ended the game on an RBI single through the left side, and Montclair won 11-3.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The stolen base record was broken on Alonso's second stolen base in the bottom of the fourth inning. The record of 99 stolen bases was set last season, making this the first season in program history that a team had surpassed 100 stolen bases in a season. Alonso was at the forefront with three stolen bases in the game, as well as finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
• Mullen and Palmieri each scored two runs.
• Rider collected the first RBI in her career.
• DAKOTA PALMIERI pitched two innings. She allowed one run on two hits and struck out three batters.
• BROOKE MCHALE entered inside the circle for the final three innings and allowed two runs on three hits and struck out four to earn the win.

GAME TWO
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Baruch put a runner on in the first inning on a walk, but a smooth double play from ASHLEY PALMIERI to Mullen to Boles ended the half inning.
• The game went into the third inning with no runs. The Bearcats threatened with a runner in scoring position, but another double play from CALLIE KOZENIEWSKI to Bole and back to Kozeniewski ended the inning.
• Montclair broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. With one out, Palmieri pushed a single up the middle and stole second. ZOE TURNER singled to the shortstop, but Palmieri was out on a runner's interference. Turner followed with two stolen bases and scored on an RBI single to the shortstop by Alonso. Following another stolen base by Alonso, Mullen batted an RBI single up the middle that allowed Alonso to score for a 2-0 lead.
• The Bearcats cut the lead to one at the top of the fifth. They earned a lead-off walk and moved the runner on a sacrifice bunt. A single up the middle, then put runners on the corners for a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to 2-1.
• The Red Hawks answered with a three-run bottom of the fifth. Palmieri led off with a single through the left side and was followed by a Turner walk. Alonso reached on a fielder's choice, and a really late decision and throw by the pitcher turned into an error that scored both Palmieri and Turner and moved Alonso to second. Another bunt single was turned into a sacrifice bunt upon review, this time during a Mullen bat. Alonso scored on an RBI single through the left side by Hester for a 5-1 lead.
• A walk, two hit by pitches, and a bases-loaded walk scored a run for Baruch, but Montclair was able to get out of the inning and limit the damage to 5-2.
• Casillas led off the bottom of the sixth, reaching on a throwing error and advancing to second. Following two outs, Palmieri singled to third base and moved Casillas to third. Palmieri stole second, and both moved a base on a wild pitch with Casillas scoring. Turner earned an RBI with a single to second base, and Alonso capped off the inning with an RBI triple to center field for an 8-2 advantage.
• Baruch fought back with back-to-back singles, but Montclair shut down the Bearcats once again and secured the sweep.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Red Hawks totaled 11 stolen bases today, pushing the season total to 108.
• ASHLEY PALMIERI led the bats, going 3-for-3. She extended her hitting streak to nine games. She also stole two bases and scored two runs
• Mullen lost her hitting streak of 13 games in game one, but extended her on-base streak to 15 with two walks in game one and a hit in game two.
• Turner batted 2-for-2 with three runs scored and stole a game-high three bases.
• EMILY LESHIK earned her first collegiate win as the starter. In five innings, she allowed one run on three hits and struck out a batter.
• DAKOTA PALMIERI entered the sixth with the go-ahead run at the plate to earn the save. In 1.1 innings, she allowed two hits and struck out two batters, both of which happened in the seventh inning.

 
FROM THE DIAMOND

• "Very happy with how we competed today and came away with two wins. Our pitching and defense set the tone all day, and I was especially pleased with how we executed situational hitting. We were aggressive on the bases and played with the kind of energy and confidence we want to see. Overall, a great team effort." Head Coach Nicole Degenhardt

 
UP NEXT

• Montclair ended its non-conference slate and will return to NJAC action the rest of the way, starting with Rutgers-Camden at home on Saturday, April 18, at 1:00 p.m.