SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. ? The Monmouth University softball team split a doubleheader with Seton Hall, winning the first game 4-2 and dropping the second contest 8-3, at Ivy Hill Park on Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks are now 6-15-1 on the season, while the Pirates move to 11-18.
Monmouth centerfielder Nichole Alvarez (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) led off each game of the doubleheader with a solo home run. In the first contest, a 4-2 Monmouth win, she went back-to-back to open the game with freshman Emily deLong (Rothschild, Wisc./DC Everest), spotting the Hawks with a 2-0 lead two batters into the contest.
MU also scored in the top of the fifth inning when senior Gina Mignogna (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape Regional) crossed the plate with what proved to be the winning run when deLong reached on an error. The Hawks added an insurance tally in the sixth when Jessellyn Jackson (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) came around to score on a pass ball. Jackson was inserted into the game as a pinch runner after Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) led off the frame with a double.
Alvarez and deLong, on top of each homering to start the first game, also each stole a base for the Hawks. Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) won her third straight start in the circle, working five innings to improve to 4-6. She gave up five hits and two runs, while striking out four and walking two batters. She gave way to freshman Melissa Mehrer (Florence, N.J./Florence Township), who worked two perfect innings to earn her first collegiate save.
In the second game, Seton Hall scored eight unanswered runs after Alvarez's lead off home run. The Pirates struck for three runs in the third and five in the fourth to take an 8-1 lead. Abby Martin (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) and deLong each scored in the sixth inning for MU on RBI singles from Ferrara and Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial). Nicola went 2-for-3 in the second game for Monmouth.
Mehrer claimed the loss in the second game, as she allowed seven earned runs and 10 hits in 3.2 innings while striking out five and walking two. She gave way to freshman Dara Palms (Humble, Tex./Humble), who pitched the final 2.1 innings, surrendering three hits and one run with two strikeouts and no walks.
Monmouth returns to action this Saturday, April 5 when they host Mount St. Mary's in their Northeast Conference home opener. The doubleheader with the Mount is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
