FINAL SCORE – Game 1
Hofstra (6-15, 4-3 CAA) – 0
Monmouth (11-17, 4-2 CAA) – 1
 
FINAL SCORE – Game 2
Hofstra (6-16, 4-4 CAA) – 3
Monmouth (12-17, 5-2 CAA) – 7
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University Softball Team collected wins No. 4 and 5 in CAA play as it took both games from the Hofstra Pride in a Friday doubleheader at MU Softball Park.

Monmouth capped the first contest in thrilling fashion as sophomore shortstop Mackenzie Bloss played hero in the bottom of the seventh. She lined a game-winning double into the right-center gap to give the Hawks their second consecutive walk-off victory and third of 2024, giving the Hawks a 1-0 win.
 
Junior pitcher Billie Kerwood earned the win throwing a complete game shutout where she struck out nine Pride hitters and allowed just two hits. Kerwood now ranks sixth all-time in program history with 378 career punchouts.
 
The Hawks fell behind 3-0 early in game two but used a five-run third inning to take the lead. The first six Monmouth batters reached base in the frame, as Savannah Simons, Mackenzie Bloss, Kiley O'Rourke, and Tessa Thompson all collected RBIs.

Senior catcher Abby Warner brought home two insurance runs in the fifth on her third home run of the season and second of the homestand – a blast to straightaway center on a two-strike pitch.

Ana Rodriguez pitched her first career complete game for the Blue & White, as she struck out seven Hofstra hitters and retired 13 of the last 14 she faced. Rodriguez records her second win of the season in the 7-3 win for Monmouth, and the Hawks are now winners of four straight and 6-1 overall on the current homestand.

QUOTE
"What an awesome day of softball. Winning both games of a doubleheader always feels good, especially against a good CAA opponent.
 
I thought both pitchers did a great job of keeping Hofstra's hitters on their toes, and we got solid defense behind them. Again, we had hitting all up and down the lineup and a couple of huge hits. Obviously, Mack in game one, and Abby really put the game out of reach with that homer in the second contest.

I'm really proud of the fight from this team. It's really fun to see these kids come together and believe in each other. We're excited to get back out here on Sunday." – Head Coach Shannon Salsburg

NOTES & NUMBERS
- Dabroski extended her hit streak to nine games.
- Simons hit her first triple of the season.
- Bloss leads the squad with 20 RBI.
- Warner holds the team lead in homers with three.
- Thompson is batting .300 in CAA play and has six RBIs in her last three games.
- O'Rourke has hit safely in four straight.
- Kerwood is 4-0 in conference games with two shutouts.
- Rodriguez ranks second on the pitching staff with 27 strikeouts.
- Hofstra leads the all-time series, 4-3.
- Monmouth left 16 runners on base on the day, while Hofstra left nine.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks look for the series sweep over the Pride on Sunday, March 24, at noon.