The Montclair State Red Hawks Softball team (10-4) lost both matchups in their doubleheader Wednesday afternoon to the Drew University Rangers (13-4) at Montclair, NJ.
Game 1
Rangers junior Bailey Comeau (5-3) squared off against Red Hawks junior pitcher Ali Cavallaro (6-3).
After no action in the first inning, Drew freshman Delaney O'Donoghue got the party started for the Rangers hitting a bases-loaded double to the back corner of the stadium to drive in three runners. With a 3-0 lead, the Rangers piled on with O'Donoghue getting home on a wild pitch and a couple of additional hits from seniors Madi Precht and Renada Primmer. After all this, the game felt over after the second inning as Drew stampeded Montclair with a six-run second inning.
In the sixth inning, with the Rangers clinging to their six-run cushion, they put the nail in the coffin after loading up the bases again, and junior Molly O'Brien crushed one to drive in two runners. After a throwing error from Ali Cavallaro, an additional runner walked home as Drew extended their lead to 9-0. The Red Hawks mounted a small comeback led by freshman Mariah Carrasco, but it wasn't even close to being enough as they fell in game one, 10-4.
Game 2
The second matchup featured Rangers freshman Teagan Bradley (6-1) against Red Hawks senior Kayla Velonte (5-1).
Both pitchers played exceptionally well, as both didn't allow more than five hits and kept the scoreboard at a double goose egg through five innings. The top of the sixth is where the sun broke through. As Molly O'Brien got a single for the Rangers, she made a quick dash to second base and was able to steal it successfully with Velonte not aware. This led to Renada Primmer getting the additional base hit the Rangers needed to bat in O'Brien and give them the one run they needed.
Teagan Bradley closed out the game in style as she kept her stat line at four hits allowed through seven innings and the Rangers hung on for the quick 1-0 victory.
What's Next For Both Teams
The Montclair State Red Hawks will stay put as they get ready for another doubleheader Saturday against Keene State (8-2). Drew University will head home to Madison, where they will have a doubleheader of their own Saturday against St. Joseph's Brooklyn (8-1).
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- Montclair State knocks out NJCU to advance to NJAC semi-finals - February 19, 2023
- Montclair Hangs On for Victory Over Kean Cougars - February 11, 2023
