WEEHAWKEN, N.J. (March 28, 2023) – Senior Olivia Warner hit a walk-off single in game number two of a doubleheader as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team swept Montclair State 4-1 and 5-4 Tuesday night at Weehawken Waterfront Park.
Warner delivered as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning of the second contest for the Ducks, who improved to 10-8 on the year. With a runner on second to start the extra frame, Warner smacked a ball up the middle on a 1-0 count to score senior Alex Schoellig, who just beat the throw on her slide to home plate. The win finished off a sweep of a Montclair State (12-4) side that had only lost two contests all year prior to today. The two teams have now split the four all-time meetings.
Sophomore Madison Subbiondo had the bat working at the dish today, recording four hits and seven at-bats while driving in four runs for the home side. She hit a two-run home run to deep center of game number two in the bottom of the third inning, scoring sophomore Rachael Prescott on the play.
"Great team wins today", head coach Emily Kaczmarek said. "Our energy is so contagious right now. The dugout is an incredible atmosphere, we're all in. Our pitching staff really complimented one another well. We had some timely hitting and sometimes that's all it takes."
The Ducks have now won two straight extra inning games. The team also extends their winning streak to a season long five games, as well as five straight home wins in Weehawken.
The Red Hawks looked the part in the beginning of game one. They were able to get an RBI single from Liz Mullen with two runners on to put the visitors ahead early. They would hold the lead until the bottom of the third, but never had an advantage the rest of the day. Part of the reason they were shut down was because of first-year Ella Tozduman. In her eighth start of the year against what might be the toughest opponent she has faced in her young career, the Lyndhurst, New Jersey native. She pitched four innings for the Ducks and only allowed one run on three hits. She kept the batters off the base paths as well as she had zero walks in the outing.
Stevens got things going in the bottom of the third thanks to a few errors by the Red Hawks. Fifth-year Meg Halloran was able to reach base and get to second on an error. She later reached third on an error which put Subbiondo on first. Warner was able to bring home Halloran in the next at-bat as she grounded into a fielder's choice.
The bottom of the fifth proved to be the inning that the Ducks broke away from their opponent. First-year Joy PIkul kicked things off with a single to left and junior Jessica Guerrero followed that up with a bunt single to put two runners on base. With senior Elise Fauske pinch running for Guerrero, Halloran grounded out but advanced both runners into scoring position. Subbiondo then hit a two RBI single to left that gave the Ducks a 3-1 advantage.
With one out and Prescott at first, Pikul delivered an RBI triple to extend the Stevens lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was only the second triple for the Ducks all season.
Not only did Tozduman star in the start, first-year Ashley Allen matched her in relief as she only allowed one hit in three innings. She walked two batters and struck out one, improving her collegiate record to 3-0. Ali Cavallaro (6-2) took defeat for the Red Hawks as she pitched five and a third innings. She allowed four runs on seven hits.
Feeling the momentum from game one, the Ducks struck quickly in game two. With two outs and Pikul on first, Subbiondo did what she did all day, deliver. She hit an RBI single to right which gave Stevens an early 1-0 lead.
Three runs is what the Ducks added on in the third inning as they extended their lead to four. After a Pikul walk, she was able to reach third on a groundout from Halloran and then a wild pitch. Prescott then drove Pikul home with a single. Subbiondo delivered again in the next at-bat as she drove a ball out of the park to keep up the Ducks' momentum.
After not scoring since the first inning of game one, Montclair State finally got on the scoresheet in the fourth inning. Stephanie Seretis hit a double to score Liz Mullen as the Red Hawks trimmed the deficit.
The visitors tied things at four in the fifth inning. Kayla Cosentino delivered two RBI while the Red Hawks added another run via an error as they tied the game up with two innings left of regulation.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Ducks had a runner in scoring position but were unable to deliver, forcing extra innings which they would ultimately win.
Senior Erin Kries (3-5) earned the win in relief for the Ducks. She pitched 3.1 innings and only allowed one hit. She also struck out three batters. First-year Kyra Fisher earned the start for Stevens as she allowed four runs on six hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Nikki Lusnia (3-1) pitched the whole game for Montclair State. She allowed five runs on eight hits. She also walked five batters.
Up Next: Softball has a quick turnaround as they hit the road tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 29, for a doubleheader against Ramapo. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Mar. 23. Game one is set for 3:00 p.m., with game two slated for 5 p.m. The Ducks are 4-9 all time against the Roadrunners. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.
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