Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team (16-10, 4-4 NJAC) battled William Paterson (10-13, 2-6 NJAC) and earned a conference sweep against the Pioneers with an eight-inning win of 3-2 and a five-inning win of 8-0 in game two.
 
GAME ONE
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks seized the first run of game one in the bottom of the first. SOPHIA ALONSO hit a one-out double down the left field line for CARLEE IANNONE to plate her on an RBI double to center field.
• The Pioneers looked to answer in the top of the second. They led off with a double and pushed the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. CARLY MOCKENHAUPT got out of the jam with a strikeout and forced a pop-up to keep the advantage for Montclair.
• In the bottom of the third, JAYLA VASQUEZ led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Alonso, but was left stranded.
• Following a lead-off walk in the top of the fifth, Montclair forced a 546 double play and looked like they were once again going to get out of the inning. William Paterson clawed back, and a double to center field and an RBI single to third base allowed them to tie the game 1-1.
• Both teams made strong pushes at the top of the seventh to take the advantage. A fielding error, a hit by pitch, and a passed ball put two runners in scoring position for William Paterson, but they were unable to score. At the bottom of the frame, KATIE BRUNNER led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout. MOLLY COLLIGAN placed down a great bunt to put runners on the corners. MARIALYS RICOURT was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but they were all left on with a strikeout and a flyout to send the game to extra innings.
• The Pioneers found the run they were looking for in the top of the eighth. With a runner starting on second, they moved her on a sacrifice bunt and scored with an RBI single up the middle to take a 2-1 lead.
• Vasquez started on second in the bottom of the eighth and moved to third on a groundout. Iannone mirrored the Pioneers' score from the top of the inning with an RBI single up the middle. MIA RIDER pinch ran for Iannone and advanced to second on a single by LIZ MULLEN. JORDYN HESTER walked and loaded the bases. Julianna Casillas pinch-hit and put together a strong plate appearance that ended in a bases-loaded walk for the victory.

 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Iannone finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. She has batted in a run in each of her past six performances
• Alonso finished 2-for-3 in the game. She has had multiple hits in 10 games this season.
• Mockenhaupt notched her fourth win of the season. She went all eight innings and allowed only two runs on seven hits and struck out eight batters.

 
GAME TWO
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Montclair took the momentum from game one and jumped out to an early lead in game two. Vasquez was hit by a pitch to lead off. Alonso followed and reached on a throwing error by the pitcher that went deep into right field and allowed Vasquez to round all the way home to score the first run of the game. Monschein entered the game to run for Alonso and moved to second as Iannone was hit by a pitch. Mullen nabbed a bunt single and loaded the bases for Hester to belt a two-RBI single to center field. HAILEY KEISER pinch ran for Hester and reached second on a passed ball. After two consecutive outs, ASHLEY PALMIERI extended the lead with a two-RBI single up the middle, and the Red Hawks came out of the opening frame with a 5-0 lead.
• The Pioneers got one runner in scoring position all game in the top of the third frame. A single through the right side and a wild pitch put a runner on second, but the Red Hawks left her there.
• Vasquez led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to right-center. A wild pitch sent her to third and completed her trip around the bases with an RBI double to right center by Monschein, and extended the lead to 6-0.
• Montclair clinched the game in the bottom of the fifth. Colligan was hit in the lead off and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Palmieri. RILEY MERKEL pinch-hit for ZOE TURNER and was also hit by a pitch. Colligan scored a run on an RBI single to center field by Vasquez and Turner, who re-entered the contest, rounded to third. Monschein plated the final run on a sacrifice fly to center field and helped the Red Hawks complete the sweep.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Vasquez went a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Jayla has been red hot since last Tuesday, batting .583 with 14 hits, three RBI, four doubles, two triples, 12 runs scored, and is 4-for-4 on stolen bases. She has a hit in all but one of her past eight games and has had multiple hits five times, including three with three hits.
• Palmieri had her first career multi-RBI performance.
• Montclair has been finding its stride at the plate since the second game at Kean last Tuesday. They have had no less then six hits in each of the past seven contests.
• JORDAN TARABOKIA picked up the win inside the circle, pitching five innings of one-hit ball, while striking out two batters.
• MSU Softball Stadium continues to be "Home Sweet Home" for the Red Hawks, who improved their home record to 12-0 on the season.

 
FROM THE DIAMOND

• "Really proud of how we showed up today. Both of our pitchers were outstanding and set the tone from the start. Offensively, it was great to see the quality of our at-bats—staying disciplined, making solid contact, and putting pressure on the defense. That's the kind of complete performance we're building toward." Head Coach Nicole Degenhardt.

 
UP NEXT

• Montclair will see a quick turnaround as it hosts FDU-Florham on Wednesday, April 8. The first of two games is set for 3:00 p.m.