(8 inn.)
Monmouth Hawks (29-15, 12-3 MAAC) – 1
Siena Saints (18-21, 10-5 MAAC) – 0
 
Monmouth Hawks (30-15, 13-3 MAAC) – 2
Siena Saints (18-22, 10-6 MAAC) – 1
 
LOUDONVILLE, NY – Behind two complete games from sophomore pitcher Alyssa Irons and clutch hitting from junior Kayla Rosado, freshman Lindsey Baron, and junior Amanda Hopeck, the Monmouth University softball team swept Siena on Monday, 1-0 and 2-1. Rosado hit the game-winning solo home run in the top of the eighth in game one. Irons broke the program record for wins in a single season in the opener, improving to 23-9 with her 11^th complete-game shutout of the season. She increased her own record to 24 in game two, earning another complete game win. In game two, Baron led off with a solo home run, and Hopeck made it 2-0 with an RBI single in the top of the fourth. The Hawks clinched a spot in the six-team MAAC Championships with the sweep. Monmouth improves to 30-15 (13-3 MAAC) on the season, and will host Fairfield on Saturday in a rematch of last year's MAAC Championship.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"It was a great couple of games today, and we're happy to take both because Siena is a quality team. Alyssa [Irons] threw two great games, and found different ways to mix pitches and keep them off balance the entire day. It was a tough challenge, but she rose to it. Offensively, it was just a couple of big hits. We scattered eight hits in game one but couldn't get any runs across, and Kayla [Rosado] just came in and had a huge home run. Lindsey [Baron] started us off in game one, and we got an important second run from Amanda [Hopeck] and Morgan [Maziarz]. The defense was stellar all day. There wasn't too many strikeouts, so it was a day where the defense was as solid as solid can be. We're now looking forward to our last home stand." - Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-In game one, Baron led off with a single and junior Sam Tomasetti was hit by a pitch during the next at bat. Baron was later called out for leaving the base early, and a ground out and fly out ended the inning.
-Baron led off the top of the third with a double to right center, but the next three Hawks were retired.
-In the top of the seventh, senior Jasmine Higa singled to center on a 3-2 count with one out. After Baron reached on an error, she was called out for leaving early again.
-In the first at bat of the top of the 8^th, Rosado launched a solo home run to left center to give Monmouth the 1-0 lead.
-Irons closed the door in the bottom half of the 8^th, getting a ground out and two strikeouts for the win.
 
-In game two, Baron led off the contest with a solo home run to left center.
-Rosado hit a single in the top of the fourth, and sophomore Morgan Maziarz came in to pinch run. After Maziarz stole second, Hopeck sent her home with a single up the middle to make it 2-0.  
-Siena cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth with a bases-loaded walk.
-Irons set down the Saints in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn Monmouth the sweep.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Baron increased her program record to 19 doubles this season. She also has 10 home runs and 46 runs scored, both of which lead the team.
-Irons is now 24-9 on the season with a 1.45 ERA. In 29 starts, she has 27 complete games, including 11 shutouts. Irons has struck out 187 batters in 207.1 innings pitched. In MAAC play, she's 10-2 with a 1.00 ERA.
-Rosado is batting .500 (25-for-50) in MAAC play with 16 RBI.
-Seven different Hawks had a hit in game one.
-The Hawks have won 30+ games for the second consecutive season.
-Monmouth is 35-4 in MAAC games over the last two years including the postseason.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will return home for two MAAC doubleheaders to end the regular season. On Saturday, the Hawks host Fairfield on ESPN+. A day later, the Blue & White will host Iona beginning at noon.