Monmouth (7-8) – 4
Loyola Marymount (12-15-1) - 2
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CA – Led by senior Katie Baron's home run and go-ahead two-RBI single in the seventh inning, the Monmouth University softball team took the late win over Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, 4-2. Baron hit her team-leading sixth home run of the season in the fourth to give the Hawks the 1-0 lead, then came up with another clutch hit in the final frame. Senior Amanda Riley pitched her 37^th career complete game, improving to 5-3 on the season after giving up just two earned runs and striking out eight batters. With the eight strikeouts, Riley is now tied for the most strikeouts in program history (497). The Hawks advance to 7-8 on the season, and will face Long Beach State tomorrow at 5:00 PM.
 
NOTES
"Katie had two huge hits for us, and she continues to be really clutch. The defense played outstanding behind Amanda. She didn't quite have her best stuff today, but the defense just made one play after another. We shut down a couple of innings that could have been a lot bigger." – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
-In the top of the 4^th, Baron opened the scoring with the solo shot.
-Loyola Marymount took the lead in the bottom half of the inning, hitting two solo home runs to go ahead 2-1.
-In the top of the sixth, Monmouth tied the game. Sophomore Amber Wozniak struck out, but senior Chloe Howerth scored from third after the catcher threw the ball to first.
-Sophomore Deangie Jimenez opened the top of the seventh with a walk. Freshman Katie Harrington then bunted a single to put runners on first and second with no outs. Sophomore Sam Tomasetti then reached on an error to load the bases with no outs.
-Howerth reached on a fielder's choice on the next at bat, but Jimenez was thrown out at home.
-On a 1-1 count, Baron then smacked a single to right center, scoring Tomasetti and Harrington.
-Riley shut the door in the bottom of the seventh, giving Monmouth the 4-2 win.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Baron now leads the team with a .429 batting average. She also leads the team with six home runs, 15 RBI, and 21 hits.  
-Riley ties Kim Lyall (1999-2003) for the most strikeouts in Monmouth history.
-Howerth leads the team with 12 runs. She went 2-for-4 in today's game.
-Riley was 1-for-3 from the plate, and is batting .333 on the year.
-Harrington went 1-for-2 with a run.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will remain in California to take on Long Beach State tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 5:00 PM.