#2 Fairfield (27-26) –  1
#1 Monmouth (32-14) – 5
 
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Led by a five-run fifth inning, including two-run home runs from sophomore Sam Tomasetti and sophomore Amber Wozniak, the Monmouth University softball team defeated Fairfield, 5-1, to win its first conference tournament championship in program history. Senior Amanda Riley pitched a complete game while giving up just one run, and was named MAAC Championship MVP following her 21^st win of the season. Monmouth has now won 24 of its last 25 games, and advances to its first NCAA Tournament in program history. The Hawks went a perfect 14-0 at home this season, and increased their win streak to 13 games, which ties a program record. Monmouth awaits its opponent until the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, May 13 at 10:00 PM on ESPN2.
 
NOTES
"It was so exciting. We just kept talking about making adjustments against their pitcher, who was great against us once again. It was great to see Sam and Amber just open the game up, and the team just continued to fight. I couldn't be more proud of them, because they fought for this all year. This has been our goal since the beginning of the year, and it's so exciting to do it. I can't wait to celebrate with them and enjoy this. We're going to go out and try to make the MAAC proud."  – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
"I knew the run support would come, it was just a matter of when. We just all trust each other, so it was great to have those hits and get some insurance. I've never been a part of a team this great before. It's going to be hard to leave, but it's truly been a blessing." – MAAC Championship MVP Amanda Riley
-Just like Friday's 14-inning game, Fairfield took the first lead. The Stags went ahead 1-0 with a solo home run in the top of the fourth.
-The Hawks took control in the bottom of the fifth and never looked back. After freshman Katie Harrington walked with one out, Tomasetti launched a two-run home run to give Monmouth the 2-1 lead.
-Senior Chloe Howerth singled on the next at bat, and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
-Sophomore Kayla Rosado reached on a fielding error by an outfielder, allowing Howerth to score. The Hawks went up 3-1 at that point.
-Wozniak was the next batter, and crushed a two-run home run to give the Hawks a comfortable 5-1 lead.
-Riley shut the door in the final two innings, giving Monmouth the eventual 5-1 championship victory.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-After winning their second regular season conference championship (first since 1999), the Hawks won their first conference tournament championship. The program has been around since 1984.
-The Hawks' 32 wins are the most since 2000.
-Riley, Tomasetti, Wozniak, and senior Alex Holzman were all named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team.
-Riley increased her program record to 660 career strikeouts (the previous record was 497). She ranks first in program history with 682.2 innings pitched, third with 55 wins, second with 147 appearances, second with 102 starts.
-For a single season, Riley ranks second all-time with 21 wins, second with 216 strikeouts, eighth with 35 appearances, sixth with 27 starts, and sixth with 187.2 innings.
-Tomasetti and Wozniak both launched their seventh home run of the season, which is tied for second on the team.
-Four different Monmouth batters now have an average over .300 this season (Baron, Wozniak, Howerth, Tomasetti).
-Howerth leads the team with 39 runs this season, and ranks fourth in program history with 131 for her career.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth secures the MAAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Championship. The selection show for the 2018 NCAA Softball Championship is Sunday, May 13 at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.