Monmouth (6-5) – 12
UC Santa Barbara (8-17) - 4
 
UC Santa Barbara (9-17) – 6
Monmouth (6-6) - 3
 
FRESNO, CA – Led by sophomore Amber Wozniak's big day at the plate, the Monmouth University softball team split with UC Santa Barbara on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks won game one by a score of 12-4, as the team scored all 12 runs in innings four, five, and six. Wozniak went 2-for-4 with two runs in game one, and went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run in the game two loss. Sophomore Jasmine Higa picked up four RBI on the day, including a three-run home run in game one and an RBI triple in game two. Monmouth's record moved to 6-6 on the season, and the team will take on #17 California and host Fresno State tomorrow.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"Overall, I thought we played well for most of the day.  In game one, our offense did an outstanding job of adjusting to their pitching.  I was pleased with the defense and I thought our pitchers hit their spots well. In game two, we played solid minus one inning.  We need to continue to work with our pitching staff, making small adjustments to get called strikes.  We had opportunities to push a run across early, and when they had the big inning it took us a bit longer than I would have liked to respond. We missed a couple of opportunities and it just wasn't enough in the end. At the end of the day, we got better as a team today.  We are looking forward to getting back out there and finishing the tournament on a strong note." – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
-In game one, UC Santa Barbara opened the scoring with a solo home in the second.
-Monmouth exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth, including a two-RBI single from senior Chloe Howerth and a two-RBI single from senior Katie Baron.
-The Hawks kept it rolling in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs on an RBI single from sophomore Deangie Jimenez and a two-RBI single from sophomore Sam Tomasetti.
-Monmouth took the 12-1 lead in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs in the frame. Senior Morgan Balderas induced a bases loaded walk, Wozniak scored on an error, and Higa blasted the three-run homer.
-In game two, UC Santa Barbara scored six runs in the top of the third. The Hawks got one run back in the bottom of the sixth on a Higa triple to center field, scoring Wozniak.
-In the bottom of the seventh, Monmouth made it 6-3 on a Wozniak two-RBI double, but it was not enough to make the comeback.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Wozniak leads the team with a .425 batting average this season. She also leads the team with 14 RBI.
-Baron is second on the team with a .421 batting average, and is second on the team with nine RBI.
-Riley pitched five innings for the Hawks in game one, and improved her record to 4-2.
-With 488 career strikeouts, Riley is second in program history. She needs just 10 more to set the program record.
-Tomasetti racked up three hits on the day and added two RBI.
-Five different Hawks registered at least two RBI on the day.

UP NEXT
The Hawks will compete against California at 2:30 PM and Fresno State at 5:00 PM tomorrow.