Manhattan (14-19, 0-7 MAAC) – 1
Monmouth (16-13, 7-0 MAAC) – 2
 
Manhattan (14-20, 0-8 MAAC) – 6
Monmouth (17-13, 8-0 MAAC) – 7  
 
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ  – Using a walk-off two-RBI triple from freshman Katie Harrington in game one and a five-run fifth inning in game two, the Monmouth University softball team swept Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, 2-1 and 7-6. The Hawks won their ninth straight game, and improved to a perfect 8-0 in MAAC play. Senior pitcher Amanda Riley improved to 4-0 in MAAC play after the game one win, and pitched nine total innings on the day while giving up just one earned run. After hitting an RBI double to start off the game two scoring, senior Katie Baron launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning, cutting the deficit to 6-4. Sophomore Amanda Hopeck later came in to pinch hit, and tied the game with a two-RBI double down the left field line. The Hawks eventually earned the 7-6 win after senior Alex Holzman scored on a Manhattan error. Holzman previously launched a solo home run in the contest to put the team ahead 2-0. Monmouth improved to 17-13 (8-0 MAAC) on the season, and will host non-conference opponent Columbia on Wednesday.
 
NOTES
"We knew Manhattan was going to come in hungry. It was awesome to see different people on the team come through today, including defense, offense, and pitching. When we were trailing, I told them that this is why we've gone through what we've had throughout this season, and they needed to trust what we've gone through and know that they can come back." – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
-In game one, Manhattan scored the first run of the contest in the top of the fourth with an RBI single.
-In the bottom of the seventh, Holzman singled to right center with one out. Freshman Morgan Maziarz pinch ran for her, and advanced to third on a single by sophomore Deangie Jimenez. Down to its last out, Harrington stepped to the plate with runners on first and third. The freshman tripled to right field, allowing both runs to score for the win.
-In game two, the Hawks got off to a quick start. Baron hit an RBI double to score senior Chloe Howerth in the bottom of the first, and Holzman made it 2-0 with the solo home run in the bottom of the second.
-Manhattan scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings, taking a 6-2 lead.
-Baron cut the deficit to 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth, blasting the two-run homer to score Howerth, who tripled.
-With runners on second and third and one out, Hopeck snuck a double down the line, scoring sophomore Amber Wozniak and freshman pinch runner Bri Battavio.
-The Hawks took home the sweep after Harrington reached on an error, allowing Holzman to score.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Riley increased her program record to 567 career strikeouts (the previous record was 497), and pitched her ninth complete game of the season. In four MAAC games this season, she is 4-0 with 30.0 innings pitched, a 0.70 ERA, and 45 strikeouts.
-Baron moved into a tie for sixth in Monmouth history with 18 home runs. She needs just three more to move into a tie for fourth. She racked up three hits and three RBI today.
-Freshman Lilly Robles earned her fourth win of the season, pitching 2.2 innings in game two.
-Hopeck is 6-for-14 (.429) this season with five RBI.
-Wozniak is batting .400 (10-for-25) in league play this year.
-Baron, Wozniak, and Rosado have combined for 60 RBI this season.
-Holzman hit her third home run of the year.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks welcome Columbia for a single game on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM.