Montclair, NJ – Stockton University (20-10, 7-3 NJAC) split a conference doubleheader on the road at Montclair State (17-9, 5-5). The Ospreys outlasted the Red Hawks 8-6 to reach the 20-win mark for the third straight year under head coach
Mavreen Hering. Stockton then dropped the nightcap 3-1.
Alexandra Cosenzo (East Hanover/Hanover Park) had four hits, including her sixth homer of the season.
Casey Schieda (Monroe Twp./Monroe Twp.) went 2-3 with a triple, two runs and two RBI in the first game. Cosenzo was 2-3 with a double, run and an RBI. Stockton outslugged the Red Hawks with 13 hits.
In the top of the first, Shieda lofted a sacrifice fly to score
Meg Murzello (Maple Shade/Holy Cross), who had two hits in the game. After Montclair State tied the score in the bottom of the first, Murzello stroked an RBI single in the top of the second for a 2-1 count. The Red Hawks briefly pulled ahead 3-2 with two runs in the bottom half.
Stockton took the lead right back with a pair in the top of the third. The tying marker scored on an error and
Megan Katzmar (Cinnaminson/Holy Cross) drove in Schieda with an RBI single to put the Ospreys on top for good at 4-3. In the fourth frame, Cosenzo and
Ashley Lobell (Cedar Knolls/Whippany Park) each ripped RBI doubles while Schieda added an RBI triple as the Ospreys extended to 7-3.
A bases-loaded double by Montclair's Elena Radesich closed the gap to one at 7-6 but
Daniela Marinaro (Cedar Grove/Cedar Grove) gave Stockton an insurance run in the seventh inning with an RBI double to clinch the 8-6 victory.
Hannah Bibeault (Hopatcong/Hopatcong) improved to 11-1 with the win. Bibeault struck out four and two of her six runs allowed were unearned.
Cosenzo knocked two of Stockton's seven hits and accounted for the team's only run in the second game with a solo home run in the top of the first. The homer was the sophomore's 15th in less than two full seasons, already putting her within one of the school record (16,
Joey Afflitto, 2009-12).
After Cosenzo gave Stockton the early 1-0 lead, Montclair State answered with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the first for a 3-1 count. The pitchers took over from there as neither team scored the rest of the way.
Victoria Torp (West Milford/West Milford) allowed just three hits in the final six innings but suffered the loss.
Torp's final line was three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts, but her teammates couldn't solve Red Hawks hurler Nicole Majewski, who held the Ospreys to one run on seven hits.
Alexa Massa (Moorestown/Moorestown) boosted her hitting streak to seven games with a double in the sixth inning.
Stockton will continue its run of five straight road dates on Tuesday when the Ospreys play an NJAC twinbill at The College of New Jersey at 3 pm.
