Pitcher Ali Walek is 1-0 on the season.
Photo Credit: Daniel Falkenheim
The Red Hawks’ softball team earned four victories over their last six games, which pushes their overall record to 20-12 and their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) record to 4-8.
Montclair State lost 6-3 in their first game of their doubleheader on April 16 against Rutgers-Camden. The game was tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, but Rutgers-Camden rattled off four unanswered runs in the fourth inning. The Red Hawks scored one run in the sixth inning, but were unable to mount a successful comeback.
The softball team immediately put their defeat behind them when senior outfielder Brooke Powers hit a two-run home run in the first inning. The Red Hawks expanded their lead to 8-0 and blew the game open with a five-run second inning.
The Red Hawks built on their momentum with two victories in their doubleheader against the College of Staten Island on April 17. Freshman designated player Lia Stamile hit a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning to put Montclair State up 4-0. The softball team would not need any more contributions, as they won the first game of the doubleheader 4-2.
Montclair State opened a big lead in the second game of their doubleheader with a four-run first inning. The Red Hawks scored another four runs in the fourth inning to expand their lead to 9-0, and they wound up winning by the same score via the mercy rule.
The Red Hawks surrendered only one run in the first game of their doubleheader against Rutgers-Newark.
The softball team trailed 5-0 to Rutgers-Newark after the second inning in their second game of the doubleheader. However, they overcame the offensive struggles that plagued them in their previous game. Sophomore second baseman Noel Hodgins scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth inning to break the Read Hawks’ 11-inning scoreless streak against Rutgers-Newark.
The Red Hawks trailed 5-2 heading into the game’s final inning. Powers and freshman shortstop Victoria Gehring each hit a 2 RBI single to put the Red Hawks up 6-5. Montclair State held onto their lead and earned their fourth NJAC victory of the season.
Montclair State is currently two spots out of an NJAC playoff position. The softball team will be back on the field on April 23 against Ramapo College at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
