Game One
Monmouth Hawks (12-5, 12-5 MAAC) – 2
Rider Broncs (10-11, 10-11 MAAC) - 0
 
Game Two
Monmouth Hawks (12-6, 12-6 MAAC) – 3
Rider Broncs (11-11, 11-11 MAAC) - 4
 
 
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Monmouth University softball team split with Rider on Tuesday, winning 2-0 in the opener before falling on a walk-off home run, 4-3.
 
Senior pitcher Alyssa Irons (Rock Creek, OH/Jefferson Area/Hofstra) pitched a complete game shutout in game one, allowing just three hits.
 
Freshman Julia Thuer (Middletown, DE/Smyrna) had a productive day at the plate, accounting for all of Monmouth's runs on the day with five RBI. Thuer went 3-for-6 on the day with three doubles.
 
Monmouth's record goes to 12-6 (12-6 MAAC) on the season, and will remain on the road to face Saint Peter's on Thursday.  
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"I thought we came out today and had some better at bats. I thought our process offensively was a lot better, putting balls in play which is what we've been working on. In game one, we found a way to push across runs. Alyssa did a great job and the defense was solid behind her. In game two, we succeeded in getting base runners in most of the innings. We just have to continue to work, finish the routine plays, and push in runs when we have the opportunities. We'll continue to move forward and get ready for Saint Peter's."  – Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-In game one, neither team scored through the first five innings.
-In the top of the sixth, the Hawks broke through. Senior Katie Harrington led off with a single, and advanced to second after senior Erika Coreth reached on an error.
-After senior Tommi Stowers flied out to center field to push Harrington to third, freshman Kiley O'Rourke stole second.
-Thuer then smacked a two-RBI double to the wall, giving Monmouth the 2-0 lead.
-Irons shut down the Broncs in the seventh, notching her second complete game shutout of the season.
 
-In another pitcher's duel, Monmouth got on the board first in game two.
-Stowers led off the top of the fourth with a single, and sophomore Briana Hoskins came in to pinch run. Thuer then hit an RBI double to left center to score Hoskins from first.
-The Hawks tacked on a run in the top of the fifth. Baron singled with one out, and advanced to second after a Coreth walk. Stowers was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Thuer brought home another run with a walk.
-Rider took the lead in the bottom of the fifth with three runs. The Broncs hit an RBI single and a two-RBI double.
-Harrington and Stowers both walked in the top of the seventh. Thuer continued her strong day, tying the game with an RBI double.
-Rider hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Irons is now 8-4 on the season, and lowered her ERA to 1.51. She tossed her 15^th career shutout.
-Thuer leads the team with 16 RBI and eight doubles.
-After going 3-for-5 today, Harrington now leads the team with a .352 batting average.
-The Hawks are tied for MAAC lead in win percentage at .667.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Saint Peter's for a doubleheader on Thursday.