Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team hosts Rutgers-Newark for an NJAC Doubleheader on Saturday.   
GAME INFO
The first of two games from MSU Softball Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.


LAST TIME OUT
Montclair got back on track after a four-game skid to sweep Farmingdale State by scores of 6-0 and 8-3 on Thursday. JAYLA VASQUEZ opened up game one strongly with a lead-off triple to right field. ZOE TURNER followed with an RBI single to left field that plated Vasquez. On that same play, Turner advanced to second on the throw and reached third on a fielding error by the catcher. LIZ MULLEN lined out to right field, but got the sacrifice fly RBI with Turner scoring to give Montclair a 2-0 lead. After a pair of scoreless frames, Vasquez, Turner, and Mullen each batted consecutive singles in the bottom of the third. With one out, CARLEE IANNONE nabbed a sacrifice fly RBI to score Vasquez and moved runners into scoring position. Turner was able to score on an error during RILEY MERKEL's at bat, and the scoring ended with Merkel swiping second and Mullen scoring on the throw down for a 5-0 Red Hawk lead. Montclair concluded its scoring in the bottom of the third. Turner singled to the shortstop and stole both second and third. Iannone walked and was replaced by HAILEY KEISER. With runners on the corners, Keiser stole second, and an off-target throw down allowed Turner to score for the 6-0 lead. The Red Hawks held firm for the final two innings for the shutout. Vasquez opened up game two the same way she did game one, with a triple, this time down the right field line. A wild pitch eventually plated her for a 1-0 Montclair lead. Montclair used the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 3-0. LEAH MONSCHEIN walked in the lead off and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by ASHLEY PALMIERI. Vasquez singled to center field and put Monschein on third. Vasquez stole second, and Turner walked for a bases-loaded situation. Iannone reached first on an error by the shortstop, but batted in Monschein. Mullen shadowed with a sacrifice fly that brought Vasquez home. Farmingdale State rallied in the top of the fourth. The Rams led off with a single through the left side. Montclair forced two outs, but a walk put two runners on for a two-RBI double to right center. A fielding error then allowed another runner to score and tied the game at 3-3.  Montclair was able to regain the lead in the bottom half of the frame. DYLAN BOLES opened the frame with a double down the left field line. MIA RIDER pinch ran for her and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by EMMA DEPEPPO, and was plated on a sacrifice fly by Monschein for a 4-3 lead. The bottom of the fifth is where Montclair seized control of the game. Facing one out, Iannone singled down the left field line. Julianna Casillas replaced her on base and got to second on a wild pitch. Mullen singled up the middle and advanced to second, while Casillas reached third. MARIALYS RICOURT pinch-hit and batted an RBI single to score Casillas. ABBY TOLE pinch ran for Ricourt and stole second. Boles then went up to bat for the craziest play of the season. She batted a ball to first base that took a hop between two defenders for a two-RBI single. The right fielder threw home to try to catch Tole at home, but misfired and allowed Boles to round second and go to third. The throw to get her out a third was also misfired, and Boles made a complete trip around the bases to push the lead out to 8-3. Montclair sought to extend the lead in the sixth. Vasquez and Turner each singled to open up the inning. Casillas followed with a single of her own through the left side, but Vasquez was forced out on third. Turner and Casillas were eventually left stranded, but the Red Hawks retired the side in the second and completed the sweep.
 
 MONTCLAIR STATE (12-10, 0-4 NJAC): 2026 Statistics

RUTGERS-NEWARK (3-15, 0-4 NJAC): 2026 Statistics
 
SCOUTING RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders enter this NJAC slate with a 3-15 overall record and are also seeking its first NJAC win at 0-4. They are coming off wins, however, earning a doubleheader sweep against Hunter, 6-5 and 5-4 on Wednesday. Last season, Newark finished 12-26 and 2-16 in NJAC play and missed the conference tournament. According to the 2026 NJAC Preseason Poll, the Scarlet Raiders are slated to finish eighth this season.  

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Scarlet Raiders have squared off 52 times in their histories. Montclair is a dominant 48-4 against Rutgers-Newark, including a 22-3 record at home.
 
LAST MEETING
These two teams met last season on April 1, where Montclair earned a road sweep by scores of 3-0 and 5-0.    
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will continue its homestand with an NJAC doubleheader slate on Tuesday, April 7, against William Paterson. The first pitch of game one is set for 3:00 p.m.