Monmouth Hawks (21-11, 7-0 MAAC) – 6
Rider Broncs (4-27, 1-4 MAAC) – 0
 
Monmouth Hawks (21-12, 7-1 MAAC) – 2
Rider Broncs (5-27, 2-4 MAAC) – 5
 
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – After a 6-0 game one win, the Monmouth University softball team fell to Rider in game two, 5-2. Sophomore Erika Coreth hit her first career home run in the opener, while sophomore Alyssa Irons tossed her seventh complete-game shutout of the season. In the nightcap, junior Amber Wozniak hit a two-run home run to put Monmouth on the board first, but the Broncs scored five runs in the bottom of the second to earn the split. Irons pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, and has given up just one run in 40.2 MAAC innings pitched. Monmouth's record now stands at 21-12 (7-1 MAAC) on the season, and the team will travel to Columbia on Wednesday for a non-conference contest.
 
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Alyssa did a great job in game one and controlled Rider's offense. Offensively, we pushed across runs when we needed to. We didn't get off to the start we wanted in game two and let them have a big second inning. We need to be sharper in those situations. It's a game that we can definitely learn from, and we're going to continue to work to get better." -  Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-In game one, Coreth put Monmouth ahead 1-0 with a solo home run to center field. After a Tomasetti walk and a Rosado single, Wozniak made it 2-0 with an RBI single to right field.
-The Hawks scored three runs in the fourth inning, sparked by a double to left center from junior Deangie Jimenez. Sophomore Morgan Maziarz pinch ran for her, and scored on a catcher's interference call after Coreth singled. Freshman Lindsey Baron singled and stole second, forcing a throwing error that scored Coreth.
-Tomasetti made it 5-0 with an RBI double to the wall to score Baron.
-In the top of the sixth, Monmouth went ahead 6-0 on a throwing error when Rider attempted to turn a double play.
-Irons remained dominant throughout the game, registering another complete game shutout.
 
-In game two, Wozniak put Monmouth on the board first with a two-run home run. Rosado scored on the play after hitting a two-out single.
-Rider scored five runs in the bottom of the second to take a three-run lead. The first came on a fielding error, followed by a two-RBI single. The Broncs added two more RBI singles to close the inning.
-Irons came in to pitch 4.1 scoreless innings, but Monmouth eventually fell 5-2.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-In MAAC play, Irons is 5-0 with 40.2 innings pitched and one run allowed. She has struck out 37 batters in conference play with three complete-game shutouts.  
-The Hawks have won 29 of their last 31 MAAC games including last year's postseason.
-Rosado is batting .583 (14-for-24) in MAAC play with 12 RBI.
-Coreth went 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs in game one.
-Wozniak hit her 12^th career home run.
-Tomasetti has 19 RBI this season, which ranks second on the team.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Columbia for a single non-conference game on Wednesday.