Rutgers Softball Cruises Past Monmouth 6-1

Wednesday, April 15

Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers

15-24

Monmouth

19-10-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Monmouth	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	1
RUTGERS	2	1	0	0	1	2	X	6	13	0

Apr 15 | Softball

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J.  – The Rutgers softball team (15-24) built a three-run lead over the first two innings and maintained the advantage throughout the game en route to a 6-1 victory over Monmouth (19-10-1) on Wednesday, April 15, at the RU Softball Complex.

Rutgers loaded the bases in the first inning on a single from sophomore Mickenzie Alden (Spokane, Wash.) followed by back-to-back walks to seniors Amanda Heller (Belle Mead, N.J.) and Kim Hodges (Houston, Texas). The Scarlet Knights plated a pair of runs over the next two at-bats as sophomore Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) delivered a single up the middle to drive in Alden, while freshman Brittney Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) earned a bases-loaded walk to score Heller and take a 2-0 lead.

The Scarlet Knights added another run in the second inning on a run-scoring single up the middle from Heller, driving in senior Amanda Shaw (Yorba Linda, Calif.) who singled in her at-bat.

Monmouth cut into RU’s three-run lead in the top of the third with a solo home run from its catcher Emily deLong, making it 3-1 in the Scarlet Knights’ favor.

Rutgers tacked on a run in the fifth inning to pull ahead 4-1. The Scarlet Knights once again loaded the bases as Alden singled up the middle to drive in senior Kate Valiante (Mt. Laurel, N.J.).

In the sixth inning Rutgers added to its lead as Hodges reached on a fielder’s choice and Craig singled to give RU a pair of runners on the bases. Valiante then drove in the Scarlet Knights’ next two runs with a bases-clearing double to right center field for a 6-1 score.

Despite giving up a pair of walks to start the seventh inning, freshman pitcher Holly Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) found her groove and retired the final three Monmouth batters. Johnson ended the game on a strikeout, her fourth of the afternoon, to pick up the win and move to 4-4 on the season.

Rutgers will return to the diamond for a non-conference doubleheader against local rival Princeton on Thursday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m.