Game One
Monmouth Hawks (3-12) – 9
UAlbany Great Danes (5-6) – 8
 
Game Two
Monmouth Hawks (3-13) – 1
Towson Tigers (5-12) – 2
 
TOWSON, MD – On the first day of Towson University's Tiger Clash, the Monmouth University softball team split a pair of games against UAlbany and the host Tigers. The Hawks prevailed in a high-scoring affair against the Great Danes 9-8 before falling in a tight battle to Towson 2-1.
 
The scoring started early for the Hawks in game one, as Stavi Augur homered down the left field line in the first inning to give MU a 3-0 lead. With two outs in the fourth inning and Monmouth holding onto a 4-3 advantage, Abby Warner sent a two-run homer out to left, pushing the lead back up to three runs. UAlbany battled back in the bottom half of the frame, putting up four runs to take their first lead of the contest at 7-6.
 
The Great Danes added another run in their half of the fifth, but the Hawks battled back over the final two innings. An RBI single by Lindsey Baron in the sixth cut the deficit to one, while Warner got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh forcing home the tying run. Riley Riendeau followed with an RBI single to center field, giving MU the lead and the eventual victory.
 
Game two saw solid performances from both pitchers as Monmouth and Towson combined for just three runs on seven hits. Billie Kerwood tossed all six innings in the circle, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out four. The lone run for the Hawks came in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Julia Thuer to left center, plating Baron.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We played a solid day of softball. In game one, we showed our growth as a team in the way the kids fought. I couldn't be prouder of their grit and heart. Game two we had the same fight and played well, we simply came up one play or one hit short. We are looking forward to playing again on Sunday." – Head Coach Shannon Salsburg
 
-Baron's active hitting streak sits at four games after going 3-7 over both matchups today
-Augur's home run was her second of the season
-The Hawks set a new season-high for runs scored in a game with nine against UAlbany
-Warner's home run was the second of her career
-Warner also caught three runners stealing in game one
-16 Monmouth players made an appearance against the Great Danes
-Kerwood picked up her second victory of the season in game one after entering in relief
-Thuer and Kiley O'Rourke each stole a base in game one
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth was outhit by UAlbany 15-7
-The Great Danes stranded eight runners compared to seven for the Hawks
-Kerwood pitched nine total innings on the day
-Over both games, MU notched five extra-base hits
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth's matchup with UAlbany tomorrow afternoon has been canceled due to weather. The Hawks are scheduled to take the field twice on Sunday, March 13, when they'll battle Brown at 12:30 PM and Towson at 3:00 PM.