ORLANDO, Fla. - The Monmouth University softball team slugged their way to two more wins at the Rebel Games on Wednesday, defeating La Salle 8-3 and Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne 11-7. The Hawks improve to 5-1 on the season with the pair of wins.
In their first game of the day, MU was led by Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wison) as she threw a complete game six-hitter to improve to 2-1 on the season. She gave up three runs, one earned while walking three and striking out seven. Monmouth's offense was paced by Candice Palumbo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and Nichole Alvarez (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp.) who each collected three hits. Palumbo added two runs batted in and a run scored, while Alvarez drove in four runs, stole two bases, and stroked a triple in the game. Lee Simonetti (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes) had two hits, including leading off the game with a triple, to go along with three runs scored and an RBI. Kara O'Dell (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) and Jaime Jurewicz (Holland, Pa./Nazareth Academy) each added two-hit efforts in the game.
MU got the scoring started early as Palumbo drove in two runs in the first after Lisa DiLeo (Commack, N.Y./Commack) reached on an one out walk, Jurewicz reached on a fielder's choice and Simonetti walked. Alvarez then tripled in Palumbo before Heather Gordon (Hatboro, Pa./Wilson) plated Alvarez with a double.
Angela Rand (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) started the second game of the day and went 4.1 innings, surrendering four runs, three earned, before giving way to Danielle Ellement (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Newbury Park) who got the win in relief. She went the final 2.2, giving up three runs, two of which were earned.
Palumbo had two hits with a run scored and one driven in, while Alvarez added two hits, two runs scored, two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Gordon went 4-5 with a double and three runs batted in, while Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) had two hits and two runs scored. O'Dell went 2-4 with a pair of doubles and runs scored, while Gina Mignogna (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) had two hits, two runs batted in and a run scored.
The Hawks scored one in the first, but found themselves down 4-2 coming to bat in the sixth inning. The MU offense then exploded for nine runs their final two innings. Things got started when Caitlin Tighe (Somers, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) drew a lead-off walk before three consecutive two-out hits by Palumbo, Alvarez and Gordon gave MU a 5-4 lead.
With the score tied at 5-5 in the seventh, the Blue and White plated five runs as Tighe had an RBI single, Mignogna had a two RBI double, Alvarez had an RBI single and Gordon doubled in a run to put the game away. With her four runs batted in on the day, Gordon is now tied for first place on the MU career RBI list.
The Hawks, now 5-1, have an off day on Thursday before taking on Tennessee State and Valparaiso on Friday to conclude their stay at the Rebel Games.
Pictured: Candice Palumbo
