WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University softball team dropped a pair of Northeast Conference contests to Quinnipiac University on Saturday afternoon, falling 14-11 and 4-3 in nine innings, at the MU Softball Park. The Hawks fall to 17-12 overall this season and 8-3 in the NEC, while the Bobcats improve to 20-19 and 7-3 in the league.
The Hawks fell to QU in a slugfest in the first contest, 14-11, as the visitor's scored the final eight runs of the game between the fourth and sixth frames. In the nightcap, Monmouth let a 3-0 lead get after away as the Bobcats scored the final four runs of the game, including the game-winner in the top of the ninth.
MU jumped on top of Quinnipiac in the first game with a four-run second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from reigning NEC Rookie of the Week Christine Scherr (Nazareth, Pa. /Nazareth Area). The Bobcats responded with six runs in the top of the third to take a brief lead, however the Hawks answered with a seven-run bottom of the third frame, spurred by junior Emily deLong's (Rothschild, Wisc. /DC Everest) two-out grand slam over the center field fence.
QU would then score eight unanswered runs to end the game, including five in the fourth, two in the fifth and a single score in the sixth.
Scherr also scored a pair of runs for the Hawks, while classmate Kayla Weiser (Vandergrift, Pa. /Kiski Area) went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI in the first contest. Senior Alexa Ferrara (West Caldwell, N.J. /James Caldwell) also went 2-for-3, adding a two-RBI single in the third and scoring a run. Sophomore Chelsea Paprocki (Manassas, Va. /Forest Park) and freshman Tish Derer (Philadelphia, Pa. /Saint Basil Academy) each collected one hit and scored two runs apiece.
Junior Melissa Mehrer (Florence, N.J. /Florence Township) started the contest, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up four hits and seven earned runs. She struck out one batter and walked five before giving way to Lauren Sulick (Canfield, Ohio /Canfield). The sophomore, who took the loss, pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up eight hits and six earned runs. She struck out and walked three batters apiece.
In the second game, MU took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after freshman Kate Kuzma (Freehold, N.J. /Colts Neck) doubled in junior Dara Palms (Humble, Tex. /Humble), who drew a one-out walk. The Hawks extended their lead to 3-0 in the next inning when Ferrara drove a two-RBI double to right center, plating senior Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J. /Sayreville War Memorial) and Weiser.
Quinnipiac would score a pair of runs in the fourth and then one run each in the seventh and the ninth to earn the sweep. The Hawks would load the bases in both the bottom of the seventh and the ninth, but were unable to push across the winning run.
Sulick, who started the second contest, again took the loss, falling to 7-5 on the season. She surrendered 13 hits in nine innings, giving up four earned runs, while striking out four and walking eight.
Kuzma led the MU offense in the second game, going 2-for-4.
Monmouth University returns to action tomorrow when it hosts Sacred Heart in a NEC doubleheader at 12:00 pm.
