Game One
Monmouth (4-16, 4-3 CAA) – 9
Hofstra (9-16, 3-1 CAA) – 2  

Game Two
Monmouth (4-17, 4-4 CAA) – 5
Hofstra (10-16, 4-1 CAA) – 6
 
HEMPSTEAD, NY – The offense for the Monmouth University softball team exploded for 10 hits and nine runs in their 9-2 win over Hofstra in game one of a conference doubleheader versus Hofstra at Bill Edwards Stadium.

The Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first behind an RBI triple by freshman centerfielder Mackenzie Bloss followed by an RBI single by fellow freshman Bri Lawson. Devin Coia doubled home another in the third to make it a 3-0 ballgame.

After the Pride responded with a run in the bottom of the third, the Hawks broke the game open in the fifth. Bloss, who had three extra-base hits in the game, drove another run home on a double off the top of the wall in left. Later in the inning, Emily Spencer was called upon to pinch hit, and she delivered with a grand slam, the first homer of her career. Bri Hoskins made it back-to-back jacks for MU with her second career home run to push the Hawk lead to 9-1.

The Pride managed to get one back on a homer of their own, but Monmouth cruised the rest of the way to win the game, 9-2. Billie Kerwood threw a complete game in the circle, allowing just five hits and striking out four for her second win of 2023.


Game two was a back-and-forth battle, with the Pride getting the last laugh. The game entered the fifth inning tied at one, and Lexi Castaneda scored on an aggressive first-and-third baserunning play to make it 2-1 Hawks. The Pride retook the lead on a three-run homer, but Monmouth came storming back with four runs in the top of the sixth. Hofstra got two in the bottom half, and held on to win the game, 6-5, despite some loud contact in the final frame by the Hawks.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Today was a solid day of softball. Billie threw a great game. The offense was on fire and had some big hits – none bigger than Emily's pinch-hit grand slam.

We continued to push runs, which was something we really emphasized in practice this week, so I was really pleased overall. We had good, solid at-bats from start to finish.

We'll get back to work tomorrow and be ready to go on Sunday." – Head Coach Shannon Salsburg
 
- Mackenzie Bloss had her first career three-hit game.
- Bloss hit the first MU triple of the season.
- Francesca Torraca collected her fourth RBI of the year.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Abby Warner leads the team with 17 hits in 2023.
- Devin Coia has hits in four of her last five games.
- Billie Kerwood leads staff with 66 strikeouts this season.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks wrap up the three-game series versus the Pride on Sunday, March 26, and first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.