Monmouth (9-13) – 6
Fairfield (7-18) – 0
 
Monmouth (10-13) – 8  
Fairfield (7-19) - 2
 
 
FAIRFIELD, CT – Behind solid pitching and contributions from multiple players at the plate, the Monmouth University softball team swept preseason MAAC favorite Fairfield on Saturday, including a 6-0 shutout in game one and an 8-2 margin in game two. Senior Amanda Riley pitched a complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts in game one, while sophomore Megan Stauffer picked up the game two win with a complete game. Coming into the game with one career hit, sophomore Amanda Hopeck went 4-for-4 with three RBI on the day, including her first career home run in game one. Sophomore Amber Wozniak was 5-for-7 combined, racking up two RBI, two doubles, and three runs. Senior Katie Baron went 4-for-7 on the day, and now leads the team with a .446 batting average and 20 RBI. The Hawks improved to 10-13 (2-0 MAAC) with the sweep, and will return to West Long Branch on Monday for a non-conference matchup against Binghamton.
 
NOTES
"Both pitchers threw outstanding today. Amanda [Riley] really shut them down in game one, and Megan [Stauffer] came in for game two and just got ground ball after ground ball. I couldn't have been more pleased with their start. Defensively, we had some huge double plays and our middle infielders did a great job of getting rid of the ball and getting that extra out. Offensively, from top to bottom we were super aggressive and had quality at bats. Amanda Hopeck had such a big day for us, and she gave us a huge spark. Everyone contributed today and it was great to get those two wins to start conference play." – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
-Monmouth took the early lead in game one, as sophomore Kayla Rosado hit an RBI single to right field to score senior Chloe Howerth. Howerth previously reached on a fielder's choice, and advanced to third after Baron's single.
-In the top of the third, Howerth once again reached, this time on a single up the middle. The Hawks went ahead 2-0 after Wozniak brought her home with a double.
-In the top of the fifth, Howerth doubled to the gap in left center. Baron sent her home, picking up her first career RBI with a single.
-Monmouth took the 6-0 lead in the top of the sixth, including Hopeck's solo home run to lead off the inning. Later, Rosado scored sophomore Sam Tomasetti on a groundout with the bases loaded.
-In game two, the Hawks once again jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the top of the second. Sophomore Deangie Jimenez walked with the bases loaded, freshman Morgan Maziarz hit an RBI single, and Tomasetti reached on a fielder's choice to score Hopeck.
-After Fairfield scored its first run of the day in the third inning of game two, Monmouth immediately got one back in the top of the fourth, as Jimenez hit an RBI double to right field.
-Monmouth tacked on three runs in the top of the fifth to go ahead 7-2. Baron doubled to right center to score Howerth, Wozniak doubled to score Baron, and Hopeck singled to score Wozniak.
-In the top of the seventh, Hopeck stayed hot with another RBI single to score Wozniak.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Riley increased her program record to 531 career strikeouts (the previous record was 497). She pitched her seventh complete game of the season, and lowered her ERA to 3.11.
-Baron leads the team in batting average (.446), hits (33), home runs (6), and RBI (20).
-With another four today, Howerth now leads the team with 18 runs on the year.
-Monmouth sophomores (Hopeck, Wozniak, Rosado, Jimenez, Tomasetti) combined for 15 hits, 10 RBI, and six runs on the day.
-Wozniak is second on the team with 19 RBI this season.
-Stauffer earned her first win of the season and lowered her ERA to 4.85
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will welcome Binghamton for their home opener on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.