FINAL SCORE
Rider (12-22) – 3
Monmouth (7-29) – 2
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Monmouth University softball team rallied late, but ultimately fell to Rider, 3-2, at MU Softball Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the first three Hawks reached base, including singles from Kiley O'Rourke (1-for-3, R) and Julia Thuer (2-for-3). After Monmouth got a run on a throwing error following an Emily Spencer flyout, Francesca Torraca (1-for-3, RBI) drove in another on a sharp single to center field. With two outs and the tying and winning runs in scoring position, the Broncs induced a flyout to right to end the game and win, 3-2.

Billie Kerwood threw a complete game but was credited with the loss. The sophomore struck out seven Rider hitters and walked none, all while allowing two earned and one unearned run on 94 pitches.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Billie threw a good game. There were some nice defensive plays. Julia had a very nice day at first getting us a lot of close outs.

Offensively, we put things together just a little bit too late. We have to continue to work to create situations earlier in the game, and then push those runs.

I do see growth. I continue to encourage the kids to fight. We look forward to the last few games and the fight to get into the CAA Tournament." - Head Coach Shannon Salsburg
 
- Francesca Torraca extended her hit streak to five games.
- Julia Thuer recorded her third multi-hit game in a week.
- Since 2004, MU leads the head-to-head series 25-11.
- Rider wins the season series, 2-0.
 
NUMBER CRUNCH
- Abby Warner drew her team-leading 16^th walk of the season.
- Kiley O'Rourke scored her first run of the season
- Monmouth outhit Rider, 7-6.
- Monmouth left six runners on base, while Rider left five.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks host Drexel for a three-game weekend series beginning Saturday, April 22, at noon.