JERSEY CITY, N.J. ? Junior Nichole Alvarez (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) ran her way into the record books, becoming the Monmouth University softball program's all-time career steals leader as the Hawks swept Saint Peter's in a nonconference doubleheader, winning 12-2 and 7-6 on Thursday afternoon at Jaroschak Field.
Alvarez stole three bases on the day, giving the junior 85 in her career, surpassing Dawn Marino's (1992-95) previous record of 83. Alvarez went 6-for-7 in the two games with five runs scored and a home run in each game to go along with the record-breaking stolen bases.
The Hawks won the first game 12-2 over the Peahens, pounding out 11 hits and scoring at least one run in every inning. MU scored four in the first inning and three runs apiece in the second and fifth innings. The top six batters in the Monmouth lineup went a combined 11-for-19 with 11 RBI and 11 runs scored. Alvarez went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a home run to centerfield in the third inning, while freshman Nora Bosmans (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) went 1-for-2 with two runs driven in.
Freshman Emily deLong (Rothschild, Wisc./DC Everest) went 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored, including a two-run homer in the second and Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) with 3-for-4, including two doubles, with three runs driven in and three runs scored as well. Lee Simonetti (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell) added a base hit and two RBI as well.
Abby Martin (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) got the win in the circle to improve to 2-0, while junior Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) pitched the a perfect final 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.
In the second game, a 7-6 Monmouth win, Alvarez had what proved to be the game-winning hit when she led off the sixth inning with an inside-the-park home run. She went 4-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in the contest. deLong went 2-for-4 with a RBI, while Nicola went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Simonetti added a two-run triple in the first inning, Jaime Jurewicz (Holland, Pa./Nazareth Academy) had a hit and scored two runs and Jessellyn Jackson (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck) added a base hit and run scored.
Sawlsville started the second game and pitched into the third inning before giving way to freshman Dara Palms (Humble, Tex./Humble), who pitched the final five innings to earn the win and improve to 3-3 on the season. She allowed four hits and two earned runs in earning the win in relief.
The Hawks, who are now 15-21-1 on the season, return to action this Saturday, April 26 when they host Central Connecticut State in a conference twinbill at 1:00 pm.
