Softball Swept By Montclair State in New Jersey - Keene State College (2024)

• Box Score 1
• Box Score 2

Game Recap: Softball | 3/24/2024 8:43:00 PM | Ryan Hearn, Sports Information Assistant

KSC Can’t Hold Game 2 Lead, Falls 6-0 and 7-5

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Keene State College softball team scored four runs in the second inning to take a three-run lead in Game 2, but otherwise managed just one run in 13 other offensive innings on the afternoon at they were swept by Montclair State University 6-0 and 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at the MSU Softball Stadium.

Records

• Keene State: 4-8
• Montclair State: 9-7

How It Happened
The Owls returned from South Carolina having won four straight after opening the season with six consecutive losses, but will return north looking to regain momentum again after dropping a pair in New Jersey. KSC scored in just two of 14 offensive innings and walked 10 from the circle while allowing 12 stolen bases on the day. In Game 1, the Owls were limited to just three hits and did not have a runner reach scoring position until the fifth inning – ultimately the only runner they would have reach second – as Montclair cruised to a win. The Red Hawks scored single runs in the first and second innings to play from ahead, and then Stephanie Seretis delivered a two-run single in the fourth to double the lead. Only three of MSU's runs were plated on hits (two on sacrifice flies and one on a wild pitch), but it was more than enough offensive support for Ali Cavallaro (3-4) and Brooke Biamonte. Cavallaro allowed just two hits and two walks over six innings while striking out eight before Biamonte got out of the seventh in four batters, only allowing an infield single to Kalle Halvorsen with two outs. KSC's only other hits came from Lilah Demmy and Liv Whittier.

Demmy (2-4) took the loss in the circle for the Owls, allowing 10 hits and six runs over six innings. She walked three and struck out one.

Montclair's offensive effort included multiple hits from three different people, including leadoff hitter Rileigh Glynn who was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mariah Carrasco finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Seretis had the two-run single and reached on a walk. The Red Hawks outhit the Owls 10-3.

Keene State surrendered the initial run in the nightcap also, but this time answered back with four runs in the top of the second to take a lead as Halvorsen and Emma Chenette recorded consecutive RBI singles to put their team in front 2-1 before both scoring themselves on a big two-run triple to the opposite field for Carissa Miller put the Owls up three. The junior hurler also got the job done in the circle, tossing the first three innings and allowing three hits and just one unearned run. She walked four and struck out three, and left with her team leading 4-1.

Miller departed after three, and once she did so too did KSC's lead after a long fourth saw Montclair score five times, all before there were two outs, to go up two. The inning began with small ball (two straight bunt singles) and a walk to fill the bases with nobody out before Seretis drew the Red Hawks within a run with a two-run single. Juliana Casillas followed by grounding into a fielder's choice for the first out, but it worked well enough to tie the game. KSC had another chance to get at least one out if not two when Carrasco grounded to third, but the throw to second could not be handled. The Red Hawks then had consecutive singles to take the lead, ultimately for good. They made it 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth when Glynn walked, stole second, and scored on Kayla Cosentino's single up the middle.

Keene State got a run back in the sixth and had the tying run in scoring position with one out, but could not get closer than two. The frame began with base hits from Brynna Meeker and Halvorsen to put two on before Miller sacrificed both into scoring position. However, Chloe Saperstein threw the ball away, allowing Meeker to score and Miller to advance to second in a 7-5 game. KSC had a chance to draw even closer, but a strikeout and fly ball to right ended the inning. Another big chance came in the seventh as Whittier singled to left and Wallace then reached on a fielder's choice accompanied by another miscue to allow Whittier to move to third with nobody out. However, the Owls then went down in order after that including a line drive by Halvorsen that was caught by second baseman Carrasco to end the game.

Carissa Miller started and allowed one unearned run in three innings with four walks and three strikeouts. Megan Strzegowski (1-1) took the loss, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned) while getting one out in the fourth.

Sage Rizzi (3-4) got the win for Montclair, allowing five unearned runs and six hits over six innings. She walked four and struck out six.

A trio of two-hit games, including a pair of RBI from Seretis, helped the Red Hawks nullify making three errors and leaving 12 runners on base. KSC stranded nine, including four in the last two innings.

The Owls have lost 10 straight in the series dating back to 2018, including six over the last three years.

KSC is scheduled to host Springfield College (9-2-1) on Wednesday, March 27 at 3:00 p.m. Stay tuned to keeneowls.com for any schedule changes related to field conditions.