(10 inn.)
Delaware Blue Hens (15-17) – 5
Monmouth Hawks (17-11) – 4
 
Delaware Blue Hens (15-18) – 1
Monmouth Hawks (18-11) – 2
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – After its comeback attempt fell short in 10 innings, the Monmouth University softball team earned a split with Delaware following a game two win, 2-1. In game one, the Hawks trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh but used an RBI single from sophomore Erika Coreth and an RBI double from freshman Lindsey Baron to force extra innings. The Blue Hens eventually hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10^th to take the 5-4 victory. Sophomore Alyssa Irons tossed all 10 innings in the loss, striking out six batters. In game two, sophomore Lilly Robles threw an impressive complete game, giving up just one run and improving her record to 5-2 on the year. Junior Sam Tomasetti hit the go-ahead RBI single in the third, scoring Baron after her single. Monmouth's record now stands at 18-11 (4-0 MAAC) on the 2019 season, and the team will continue MAAC action when they host Quinnipiac on Saturday.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"We weren't too sharp in the beginning, but I'm happy with the split today. In game two, Lilly threw a fantastic game, and really just trusted her defense to do their job. Offensively, we didn't do a ton, but we did enough. By putting the ball in play, we made things happen. Delaware is a tough team because they do a lot of things really well. They forced us to be prepared for every pitch. We're looking forward to getting back here this weekend for Quinnipiac." -  Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-In game one, Delaware took an early lead with one run in the top of the first and three runs in the top of the second.
-Monmouth chipped away in the bottom of the fourth. Baron led off the inning with a double to right center, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Tomasetti walked, Rosado reached on a fielder's choice to score Baron.
-With two outs, junior Amanda Hopeck hit an RBI groundout to score Tomasetti.
-In the bottom of the seventh, Monmouth was down 4-2 with two outs. Irons and Jimenez generated back-to-back walks, and Coreth singled up the middle to score pinch runner Morgan Maziarz.
-Baron tied the game with a clutch RBI double to left center to score Jimenez.
-In the top of the 10^th, Delaware led off with a double down the right field line, and eventually took the win on a sacrifice fly. Baron had a perfect throw to the plate from center field, but the runner was ruled safe.
 
-In game two, the Blue Hens again took an early lead with an RBI single in the top of the second.
-Monmouth answered in the bottom of the third. With one out, sophomore Katie Harrington hit a single to right field and stole second. After Baron hit an infield single, Harrington advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by the third baseman.
-Tomasetti came up clutch with an RBI single down the right field line to score Baron. That would be the last run of the game, as Monmouth earned the split with a 2-1 win.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth has won 21 of its last 24 home contests.  
-Baron increased her average to .318 on the season. She leads the team in runs, doubles, and home runs.
-Irons pitched her 16^th complete game of the season in 17 starts. Her ERA now stands at 1.71, and she has struck out 99 batters in 123 innings.
-Robles already has more wins than last year, improving to 5-2 this season with a 3.29 ERA.
-Tomasetti is batting .302 on the season with 18 RBI, which ranks second on the team.  
-Five different Hawks had an RBI today.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will host Quinnipiac on Saturday to cap a 12-game home stand.