Monmouth Women’s Softball is in full swing as they kick off their 2024 season in the Dr. Diane Natalicio Memorial Tournament. The Hawks started the tournament in Las Cruces, NM, on Feb. 9, where they faced New Mexico State in a doubleheader. Unfortunately, the Hawks were unsuccessful in both games.
The Hawks then traveled to El Paso, TX, to face the University of Texas at El Paso as well as Western Michigan on Feb. 10. Both games were unfortunate losses for the Hawks, but they were able to close out the weekend with a win in another matchup against Western Michigan on Feb. 11 where Monmouth won 8-6.
With no runs in the first inning, the Hawks got an early lead in the second with a four-run inning. Senior Devin Coia started things off for Monmouth with an RBI single, bringing in sophomore Bri Lawson for the game’s first run. Sophomore Kaitlyn Place came through with a double that brought Coia in for a second run. This was a big inning for Monmouth, finishing it off with a hit from graduate student Dani Dabroski that brought in two runs after an error by the Broncos shortstop.
Another misplay by a Bronco in the third gave Place a chance to bring another run in, where senior Abby Warner made it home from second.
Monmouth led 5-0 in the fourth until the Broncos came back swinging and put together a six-run frame for their first lead of the game. The Broncos’ lead did not last for long, and Monmouth answered at the bottom of the third. Sophomore shortstop Mackenzie Bloss hit her first double of the season to bridge the gap and tie the game. Warner shortly after gave Monmouth the lead.
Senior Ana Rodriguez was called to pinch hit following Warner and crushed her first home run of the season, which extended Monmouth’s lead to two.
The game was called due to time constraints after a scoreless fifth inning, and Monmouth won with a final score of 8-6.
According to the Monmouth Athletics Website, Head Coach Shannon Salsburg said, “What a fantastic way to end opening weekend. The team was scrappy all three days. We had chances to win four of the five games and learned a lot about ourselves along the way. Today we were able to put it all together, and I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team. We are excited to get home and tweak a few things before we hit the field next weekend.”
At the tournament, Warner led the Hawks with eight total bases, while sophomore Savannah Simons earned her rank of first on the team with four RBI.
The Hawks will play in the Winthrop Eagle Classic next weekend in Rock Hill, SC, where they will open the weekend in a game against Appalachian State on Feb. 16. They will also face USC Upstate, Binghamton, Le Moyne, and Mount St. Mary’s over the span of three days.
