Monmouth offense powers past Griffs

Sophomore Brittany Sockwell hit her fourth home run in an eight-day span in the first game against Monmouth on Saturday. (Marshall Haim/The Griffin)

By Marshall Haim

Sports Editor

When you’re hot, you’re hot.

That’s exactly what Monmouth was when they entered Saturday’s doubleheader with Canisius.

Going into the pair of games, the Hawks had won 13 of their last 14 games and led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with an 11-1 record. They were also the lone team in the MAAC to have an overall winning record.

Following a rain-soaked doubleheader went in favor of Monmouth, 17-6 and 9-1, the Hawks now have won 15 of their last 16 and have 13 wins in conference play. Both games ended early due to the mercy-rule.

Monmouth opened the first game off with a leadoff home run before adding another solo shot in the opening inning. The Hawks would also add two more runs in the third inning, extending their lead to four.

Canisius would tie the game up in the third inning as Sue Vi and Kara Paradowski would cross the plate on a Monmouth error in the outfield. Following a pair of outs and a hit batsman, Brittany Sockwell would hit her fourth home run of the season — all of which have come in an eight-day span. Sockwell’s home run was a two-run shot to left field, tying the game at 4-4.

The Pearland, Texas native is now tied with Morgan Altman for the team-lead in home runs with four.

Both teams traded runs in the fourth and fifth innings before Monmouth would ultimately put the game out of reach, scoring four runs in what wound up to be the final inning as the mercy-rule was then established.

The Hawks outscored the Griffs in the final three innings, 13-2. Ten of Monmouth’s 15 hits went for extra bases (four doubles, two triples and four home runs).

Keller, Molly Hennessy and Molly McGuire each had extra-base hits for Canisius.

Emily Nicosia earned the start in the circle throwing 4⅓ innings while allowing 11 hits and 11 runs, both figures being the most she has allowed in a single-game in her first collegiate season.

Amanda Riley countered Nicosia in the circle, throwing four innings while allowing six hits and six runs (three earned). The senior walked five and fanned six. Four innings pitched is the fewest thrown in a start for Riley since going 3⅔ innings at Fresno State on March 11.

In the final game of the doubleheader, a seven-run third inning aided the Hawks to their eighth victory in their last 10 meetings with Canisius since Monmouth joined the MAAC in 2014. Monmouth currently has a three-game advantage of second-place Siena in the standings.

Keller hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for Canisius, one of three hits against Hawks hurler Megan Stauffer. Paradowski and Cassie Ho had the other hits for the Griffs.

Erika Mackie started the nightcap for Canisius throwing the entirety of the game, allowing 10 hits and nine runs in the five-inning game.

Canisius returns to the diamond Sunday when they host Rider for a noon first pitch to begin their scheduled doubleheader. The Broncs were scheduled to play Niagara on Saturday in Lewiston but were rained out.

Both the Griffs and Broncs are tied for eighth in the MAAC standings with a 5-7 record. Rider is 13-26 overall while Canisius holds an overall record of 9-30.