Game 25 Final Score
Monmouth (9-16, 5-0 CAA) – 5
Drexel (0-20, 0-5 CAA) – 4
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Junior Jayla Cadena gave both herself a win in the circle and Monmouth University Softball its fifth straight CAA win with a walk-off single to lift the Hawks over Drexel, 5-4, on Saturday afternoon at MU Softball Park.
 
The Hawks put together a well-rounded performance, collecting 10 hits while strong pitching and late-game execution secured the win. Sammy Miller led the way with two hits and two runs scored, while Olivia Smith and Jayla Cadena each drove in key runs.
 
Drexel struck first with a two-run home run in the second inning and added another run in the third to take a 3-1 lead after Lexi Castaneda singled in a run in the bottom of the second to cut Drexel's lead in half.
 
Monmouth responded in the bottom half of the third, getting two runs on a two-out throwing error by the Dragons. In the fourth, Smith laced an RBI infield single off the pitcher's leg to put the Hawks in front for the first time, 4-3.
 
Drexel briefly tied the game in the sixth on a two-out double over the head of Castaneda in center.
 
Miller sparked the rally with a leadoff single in the seventh before advancing to second on a Gabby Gesualdo knock through the left side. Cadena stepped into the box hitless on the day but lined a 1-1 pitch into centerfield as Miller raced home and safely slid headfirst to secure the win for Monmouth.
 
Cadena earned the win in relief, holding Drexel to one run over four innings while allowing just two hits. Olivia Lewis started the game, working three frames before handing it over to Cadena, who shut the door on the Dragons.
 
Notes & Numbers
- Monmouth is 5-0 in CAA games this season – its best start since joining the league.
- The Hawks now have three walk-off wins in 2025.
- Monmouth improves to 2-0 at home.
- Liv Smith recorded another two-hit game, her third in the last five games and now has an on-base streak of 12 consecutive games.
- Cadena is now up to six pitching wins which leads the Hawks this season.
- Clare Picone threw out her third would-be stealer this season.
- Giana Scotti extended her on-base streak to 16 – the most by a Hawk since Lindsay Baron (24) in 2022.
- Monmouth leads the all-time series, 9-8.
 
Up Next
The Hawks go for back-to-back CAA series sweeps as they take on the Dragons again tomorrow Sunday, March 16. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 12 p.m.