WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.-The Monmouth softball team handily came out on top against the Rider Broncs in Lawrenceville, N.J. by a score of 11-3. The Hawks improve to 8-3 on the season, while Rider falls to 2-12 on the year. Freshman Cerissa Rivera (Westminster, Calif./Fountain Valley) pitched a complete game and tallied five hits, three strikeouts and three walks, improving to 3-1 on the season.
Head Coach Louie Berndt stated after the victory, "We finally hit the ball and I mean everyone! We had good pitching from Cerissa, and Kayla called a good game despite the uncontrollable calls. Kate blasted a home run, which got the team going in the right direction. It was a great team win!"
With the score tied at 0-0 through four innings, neither the Hawks nor the Broncs were unable to generate any offense until the fifth. Freshman Nikki Sandelier (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) was hit by a pitch, then advanced to second on a groundout by senior Tish Derer (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy). Junior Alicia DeSanto (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) reached on a throwing error by pitcher Krista Morrone, and continued to second, sending Sandelier home and putting the Hawks on top 1-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, Gina McCool was walked, then Amanda Irving doubled down the left field line, sending McCool to third. Kehli Washington got on base after a fielding error on sophomore Kayleena Flores (Atwater, Calif./Buhach Colony). Irving advanced to third and McCool was sent home, tying the game at 1-1.
The floodgates opened for the Hawks and senior Kayla Weiser (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area) was walked, then brought home by a two-run home run by senior Kate Kuzma (Colts Neck, N.J./Freehold). Flores reached on an error by Irving, then junior Shannon Fitzgerald (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia) singled to left field. Both advanced one base by a wild pitch, then a sacrifice fly by sophomore Vanessa Cardoza (Santa Ana, Calif./Ocean View) brough Flores across the plate, pushing the lead to 4-1. Sandelier then singled on a bunt, then a pop-up by Derer brought Fitzgerald brought Fitzgerald home.
DeSanto was then walked and advanced to second on a wild throw. This sent Sandelier to third, where she then scored on a wild throw by the catcher. The Hawks' production and Rider's errors gave Monmouth the 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, where the Broncs were held scoreless. In the seventh, senior Christine Scherr (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) doubled to right field and advanced to third on a flyout by freshman Lauren Saal (Howell, N.J./Howell). Freshman Raelynn Galindo (Yorba Linda, Calif./Yorba Linda) drilled a single to right field, sending Scherr home and extending the lead to 7-1.
Fitzgerald reached first on a fielder's choice, which sent Galindo to second a throwing error by pitcher Montana Berg. Cardoza sent a single to shortstop, and Sandelier doubled down the left field line, bringing Fitzgerald and Galindo around the bases. On a DeSanto single to center field, Sandelier and Cardoza scored, extending the lead to 11-1. Scherr was hit by a pitch and junior Kaitie Schumacher (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) before the inning was over.
In the bottom of the seventh, Samantha Judd reached first on a throwing error by Derer. A Washington bunt and a single by Allysen Breeden sent Judd home and marginally trimming the lead to 11-2. A flyout by Dana Sensi sent Washington across home plate, but a Kim Valdes popup ended any hopes of a major Rider comeback.
The Hawks will travel to Florida this weekend to take on Bethune-Cookman (3-15), Central Florida (14-12) and North Florida (20-8) March 19-21.
