(5 inn.)
Monmouth Hawks (5-5) - 8
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-9) - 0
 
MIAMI, FL – Behind junior Sam Tomasetti's big day at the plate and another shutout from sophomore Alyssa Irons, the Monmouth University softball team run-ruled Rutgers on Sunday morning, 8-0. Tomasetti went 3-for-3 with a home run, a triple, three runs, and four total RBI. Irons did not allow a run in five innings and gave up just five hits to improve to 5-2 on the season. Monmouth's top three hitters all had big games, including two RBI from junior Kayla Rosado and an RBI single from freshman Lindsey Baron. The Hawks improve to 5-5 on the season, and will compete in the Towson University Invite next weekend.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"From the first pitch, we really set the tone. Putting those runs on the board early was huge. Alyssa did a great job of attacking really good hitters, and our defense had some more spectacular plays, including a diving catch from Lindsey Baron in center field. Then to continue to put runs up was a big deal. I'm really proud of how we finished. I told the team yesterday to just play for each other, and it was fun to see them start to do just that."  – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-Monmouth struck early in the top of the first, beginning with a leadoff double from Baron. Tomasetti sent her home with an RBI single to center field, and advanced to second on the throw.
-Rosado's RBI single to left scored Tomasetti, putting the Hawks up 2-0.
-Junior Amber Wozniak singled for Monmouth's fourth straight hit to open the game. She eventually scored on a double steal to make it 3-0 in the first.
-The Hawks tacked on three more runs in the top of the third. Junior Deangie Jimenez led off the frame with a single. Sophomore Morgan Maziarz walked and advanced to second after Jimenez was thrown out at third.
-Baron came up with an RBI single to score Maziarz, and scored on a Tomasetti triple down the right field line.
-Rosado made it 6-0 with a sacrifice fly to score Tomasetti.
-Rutgers put runners on second and third in the bottom of the third, but Irons forced a ground out to end the inning.
-In the top of the fourth, Tomasetti blasted a two-run home run to score Jimenez, who led off with a walk. Monmouth took an 8-0 lead on Tomasetti's second homer of the year.
-Irons shut down the Scarlet Knights in the final two innings to end the game in the fifth.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will travel to Maryland to play in Towson University's Invite next weekend. Monmouth will face Hartford, Yale, and Towson in the tournament, which begins Friday.