Game 24 Final Score 
Monmouth (8-16, 4-0 CAA) – 5
Drexel (0-19, 0-4 CAA) – 4
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University softball team opened up an early 5-0 lead and held off a late charge by Drexel University for a 5-4 on Friday afternoon at MU Softball Park. 
 
The Hawks won their home opener and improved to 4-0 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play with the victory.
 
Monmouth wasted little time in getting on the board. The first two batters reached and after Drexel got the first out, Gabby Gesualdo lifted a sac fly to center that scored Sammy Miller. Jayla Cadena followed with an RBI single that made it 2-0.
 
The Hawks extended their lead to 3-0 as Lexi Castaneda scored on a Drexel error in the second.
 
Two more runs in the fourth pushed the Monmouth advantage to 5-0. Clare Picone drew a bases loaded walk while Gesualdo plated another on a fielder's choice.
 
Drexel scored two in the sixth on a Lily Meunick home run. 
 
The Dragons scored two more in the seventh, but Olivia Lewis got a strikeout to close out the 5-4 win.

Notes & Numbers 
- Monmouth is 4-0 to start conference play for the first time in CAA play and for the first time overall since the 2019 season when the Hawks were still part of the MAAC.
- The Hawks won their home opener for the second straight season.
- Kylee McLain had a pair of base knocks for the Hawks. It was her third straight game with multiple hits and fifth multi-hit game of the season.
- Liv Smith recorded two hits and had her fifth multi-hit game of the season.
- Jayla Cadena had a season-high three strikeouts .
- Cadena picked up her fifth win of the season as she tossed six innings and allowed just two runs.
- Olivia Lewis picked up the save after pitching the seventh.
- Violet Marta took the loss for Drexel after giving up five runs on eight hits.
 
Up Next
The Hawks and Dragons continue their three game series on Saturday, Mar. 15 at 12 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege.