Softball Falls to Monmouth in Midweek Matchup

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University softball team faced off against hOURglass rival Monmouth on Wednesday afternoon in Jersey City, ultimately dropping the pair of games against the Hawks. The Peacocks battled hard in Game 1, attempting a late rally before falling 8-4 through seven innings of action. The visitors held the upper hand in the rematch though, as Monmouth would take a 16-1 victory through five innings in Game 2.
 
Game 1 Notes:

• Neither side found a run in the first two innings of Game 1 on Wednesday, as the Peacocks defense, headed by sophomore pitcher Kristen Brennan, secured two straight three-and-out innings against the Monmouth batting order.
• The Hawks were able to find their stride in the third frame though, and would take a 4-0 lead, which included a three-run home run.
• The visitors tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth inning, followed by a solo home run in the sixth, increasing their advantage to 8-0.
• Saint Peter's first run of the day came in the bottom of the sixth inning, as junior Marissa Morales recorded her second RBI of the season to bring in Samantha Miller for the score.
• Later in the inning, sophomore Brandi Feeney hit her fourth double of the season, which brought in Olyvia Smith to bring the score to 8-2. 
• The Peacocks kept the Hawks scoreless through the top of the final inning, and with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, junior Katie Sciglimpaglia recorded her first home run of the season, hitting a two-run shot over the fence in right-center to cut the differential to 8-4.
• The rally would end there however, with Monmouth taking the 8-4 victory.

Game 2 Notes:

• Monmouth started out hot in Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning after a two-run home run in the top of the frame.
• Saint Peter's was able to respond quickly though, as Feeney brought in her second RBI of the day on a ground-out to the Monmouth shortstop, allowing Smith to score and bring the score to 2-1.
• Monmouth controlled the game from there on out, tallying seven runs in the third inning, followed by a six-run fourth inning.
• Feeney was able to get on base in the bottom of the fourth after singling to left field and would advance to second base, but was left stranded as the score remained 15-1.
• Monmouth posted one final run in the fifth inning, taking the 16-1 victory in Wednesday's rematch.

Inside the Numbers:

• Feeney and Sciglimpaglia each finished the day with multiple RBI's against Monmouth's bullpen, recording two apiece through both games.
• The pair was joined by Smith as the only Peacocks to finish the day with multiple hits, as each player finished with two hits over the course of the twin bill.
• Smith paced the team in runs scored, finishing with three runs through both games.
• Smith, sophomore Sophie Wilson, and freshman Maiah Skakal each earned a walk in Game 1, but the Hawks did not concede a single walk in the day's second game.

Coach's Quotes - Chris Stelma:

• "Real nice game in game 1 today. This is going to be a tough stretch with a lot of games against top flight teams in our conference."
• "I'm happy to see us compete at that level with the big dogs in the conference."

Up Next:

• The Peacocks will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Fairfield this weekend for a four-game series against the Stags. The series will take place from April 23-24, with Friday's games beginning at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Saturday's slate featuring games at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.