Another week, another impressive performance by sophomore pitcher Alyssa Irons, and three more wins added to Softball’s record as the Hawks competed in two doubleheaders at home to Quinnipiac and away to Rider, respectively.
In game one against Quinnipiac, Irons pitched a complete game with only one hit. She was one strike away from this being her second no-hitter of the season as she went on to earn Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Pitcher of the Week honors for the fourth time this season.
With the help of Irons and some strong offense, Monmouth was able to shut out Quinnipiac 3-0.
The three runs scored by the Hawks all took place in the bottom of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. The first run was a result of sophomore catcher Erika Coreth hitting a single to right center field, allowing sophomore outfielder Katie Harrington to cross home plate after hitting a triple of her own prior. Junior outfielder Amber Wozniak crossed home plate next to increase the Hawks’ score from 1-0 to 2-0. Junior infielder Deangie Jimenez hit a single up the left side of the field, advancing junior utilities Amanda Hopeck to second, junior first baseman Kayla Rosado to third, and Wozniak home.
The last and final run scored in the game took place in the bottom of the sixth inning. Rosado was able to score due to a fielding error made by Quinnipiac’s right fielder off of Hopeck’s hit.
In game two of the doubleheader, there was a bit more action from both teams. It ended up being a close 4-3 game, with Monmouth coming out victorious yet again. Quinnipiac took the lead after scoring three runs in the top of the second inning when up against sophomore pitcher Lilly Robles. However, these were the only runs the Bobcats would score all game.
The Hawks did not respond immediately, but they bounced back at the end of the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring their own three runs to tie the game up. All three of the runs were the result of Rosado bombing a home run to left center field, scoring freshman infielder and outfielder Lindsey Baron, senior outfielder Jasmine Higa, and herself. This was Rosado’s first homerun of the season and the fourth of her college career.
Neither team broke the tie until the very end of the seventh inning, when Monmouth was up for their last at bat. Hopeck sent a double to center field, scoring Baron for the fourth and final run, sealing the walk-off win.
“We’ve learned a lot about our resiliency in our midweek doubleheaders,” said Head Coach Shannon Salsburg. “We’ve been down against good teams, had to fight back and that is the mark of a good team, is the ability to come back.”
The Hawks’ other doubleheader they played this weekend was against Rider, where they shared the spoils. Monmouth won game one 6-0 then fell 2-5 in the second game.
Coreth put the Hawks on the board early in the top of the third inning with a home run to center field to make it 1-0. This was followed by junior infielder Sam Tomasetti being walked and Rosado singling to the left side, advancing Tomasetti to second. The second run was scored thanks to Wozniak hitting a single to right field, scoring Tomasetti.
Monmouth scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning to increase their lead to 5-0. Coreth singled to center field, allowing sophomore outfielder Morgan Maziarz to score as she was pinch-running for Jimenez. Coreth then scored herself on a throwing error made by the catcher as Baron stole second base. In this game alone, Coreth went two-for-two with a home run and two RBIs. Tomasetti earned the fifth run by sending a double to center field, brining Baron home. The sixth and final run was scored by Coreth as a result of Rosado reaching on a fielder’s choice – this was Coreth’s third run in this game.
The Hawks fell to Rider in game two of the double-header, 2-5. The first and only two runs of the game were the product of Wozniak hitting a home run to left field, scoring herself and Rosado. This was Wozniak’s 12th home run of her career at Monmouth.
Rider replied with a strong first at-bat during the top of the second inning, scoring all five of their runs. Freshman first baseman Grace Stansfield reached on a fielding error by Monmouth’s second baseman, allowing her teammate, freshman outfielder Lani Moreno, to score their first run. Then freshman second baseman and shortstop Gianna Epps hit a single up the middle and scored two of her teammates, and Rider officially took the lead.
Rider’s second inning hot streak did not end there though. Senior utility player Maddy Chain sent a single up the middle, bringing Stansfield home to score. The fifth and last run of the game was the result of junior pitcher Elyse Cuttic singling to right field, allowing Epps to score the last run to confirm their win.
“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted in game two and let them [Rider] have a big scoring inning,” said Salsburg. “We need to be sharper in those situations. It’s a game that we can definitely learn from, and we’re going to continue to work to get better.”
In conference games, Irons has pitched 40.2 innings allowing only one run. She has so far stuck out 37 batters with three shutout games. The Hawks have gone 29 for 31 in MAAC play, including last year’s postseason.
Monmouth will be traveling to Upper Manhattan to compete against Columbia in a single, non-conference game this afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
PHOTO TAKEN by Karlee Sell
