Game One
Fairfield (1-0) – 6
Monmouth (0-3) – 4
 
Game Two
Monmouth (0-4) – 0
Mercer (2-3) – 2
 
DELAND, FL – The Monmouth University softball team battled but dropped both of its games on day one of the Stetson Hatter Classic on Friday in DeLand, FL.

The Hawks began the day in a battle against former MAAC foe Fairfield, where the Stags jumped out to an early lead and were able to hold on, 6-4. Both making their first appearances of the 2023 season, junior Kait Mulcahey and fifth-year senior Kelly Toomey combined for six innings six-hit, one-run ball in the circle for the Hawks in relief.

After falling down by five runs, Monmouth fought back to make it a two-run game thanks to a big third inning. Bri Lawson led off with an infield single and was then bunted into scoring position by Eve Serrato. After Francesca Torraca reached second base on an error, Lawson came across home on a passed ball while Torraca moved up to third. Torraca scored on a double steal, and then Abby Warner (2-for-3) knocked in Lexi Castaneda, who was pinch-running for Emily Churchill, on a two-out single, cutting the score to 5-3.

The Stags answered in the top of the fourth with a run, but Monmouth also scored one in the bottom half. Freshman Mackenzie Bloss led off with a single, was bunted over by Riley Riendeau, and then scored all the way from second base on an infield single by Eve Serrato to make it 6-4. Monmouth pushed for the tie, but the Stags eventually held on.

Sophomore Emily Spencer got the start in the circle for game two versus Mercer. She went three innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out two before handing the ball over to Kylie Gletow in relief. Gletow gave her squad three scoreless innings and added a strikeout on 41 pitches.

At the plate, Spencer collected two hits while Warner improved on her already strong day with another double. Monmouth threatened in the top half of the seventh as they put the Bears into a bases-loaded jam with Kaitlynn Place collecting the first hit of her collegiate career in her first plate appearance. The Hawks outhit the Bears, 6-2, but were blanked in the run column for the first time this season.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Today was a better day of softball. We're disappointed that we didn't get the results, but as I told the team, we have to stay within the process. I think we've grown quite a bit from our first two games to these two.

I thought we got some solid pitching today, especially in relief. Offensively, we are starting to get going, but just looking for that one big hit to break it open and let everyone take a collective deep breath." – Head coach Shannon Salsburg

- Emily Spencer and Abby Warner each had a multi-hit game.
- The three-run bottom of the third versus Fairfield was Monmouth's best inning this season offensively.
- Kaitlynn Place collected her first collegiate hit in game two.
- Spencer and Warner each have five career doubles.
- Monmouth outhit Mercer, 6-2.
- The Hawks left 13 runners on base on the day, and their opponents left 15.
- Fairfield has won the last three meetings with Monmouth.
- Mercer has beaten the Hawks in both of their all-time meetings.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will face off against the same two teams tomorrow. They will play Mercer at 9:30 a.m. and follow that up with a noon start versus Fairfield.