HACKENSACK, N.J. ? The Monmouth University softball team split a doubleheader with Fairleigh Dickinson, winning the first game 11-1 and falling 8-6 in the nightcap, to open up Northeast Conference play on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks are now 4-13-1 and 1-1 in the NEC, while FDU is 5-8 and also 1-1 in the league.
The Hawks scored 11 unanswered runs to open up the contest, tallying multiple runs in three of the first four innings. The Hawks scored two runs in the top of the first inning as Nichole Alvarez (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) singled to lead off the game. She stole second and then advanced to third on a groundout before Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) blasted a two-run home run to put MU up 2-0 after one.
In the second inning, Abby Martin (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) reached on a fielder's choice and came around to score on a single by Alvarez to increase the Monmouth lead to 3-0. The Hawks then proceeded to score four runs apiece in both the third and fourth innings to take control of the contest. Nicola laced a one-out single down the left field line, and advanced to second after Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) singled to right field. Kara O'Dell (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) singled to left to load the bases for the Blue and White, and Candice Palumbo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) walked to drive run Nicola. Gina Mignogna (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape Regional) then singled to right center to plate a pair of runs for the Hawks.
After holding the Knights at bay, MU came back to strike for four more in the fourth inning. Lee Simonetti (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes) led off the inning with a double, and after a Nicola walk and Ferrara base hit, the bases were again loaded with Hawks. O'Dell and Martin drove in runs on consecutive fielder's choices, and Mignogna drove in another score on a base hit up the middle. Alvarez ended the MU scoring by driving in a run with double down the right field line to plate Palumbo. FDU got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but by then the Hawks held an 11-1 advantage and won the game via the mercy rule once five frames were completed.
Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) got the win inside the circle for the Hawks to improve to 2-6 on the season. She pitched all five innings, surrendering only two hits and one run. She walked three and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the win.
Alvarez led six Hawks with multiple hit efforts by going 3-for-3 with two runs driven in and a run scored in the first game from the leadoff spot. Simonetti had two hits and a run scored, while Nicola went 2-for-3 with two RBI's and two runs scored. Ferrara and O'Dell each added two hits and a run scored apiece, while the senior also logging a run driven in. Martin scored three runs and drove another in, while Palumbo scored a pair of runs with a RBI. Mignogna tied a career-high with three hits, going 3-for-3 with three runs driven in.
In the nightcap, MU fell behind 8-1, but staged a late rally, scoring five runs over the fifth and sixth innings to close the gap before falling 8-6. Ferrara led off the second inning with a solo home run, her first career round-tripper, to put MU up 1-0. After FDU struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the third and six in the fourth, the Hawks mounted a comeback in the later innings. Emily delong (Rothschild, Wisc./DC Everest) laced a one-out double in the fifth inning, and came around to score on Simonetti's double the following batter. The Hawks then scored four in the fifth, started with a Palumbo double down the left field line. After she came around to score, Martin delivered a pinch-hit single and scored on a Mignogna sacrifice fly . After Alvarez reached on an error, deLong connected for a two-run homer to cut the lead to 8-6, but MU would get no closer.
Melissa Mehrer (Florence, N.J./Florence Township) suffered the loss, falling to 2-6 on the season. She pitched 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and four runs, while striking out five and walking two. Martin finished the game on the mound, pitching the final two-thirds of the final inning, giving up three hits and four runs.
"It was great to see Kristine's (Sawlsville) command today in the circle," said head coach Carol Sullivan. "It was a great sign of things to come for her. Also, I was glad to see the offense come alive and put up 17 runs on the day."
The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they take on Sacred Heart in a NEC doubleheader in Fairfield, Conn. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
