VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova softball team defeated Monmouth 10-2 in five innings Wednesday at the Villanova Softball Complex.
The 'Cats (5-19) 10 runs were the second most the team has scored this season, behind a 17-2 win over Bucknell Feb. 28.
Jaclyn Morra went 3-3 on the day with three RBIs. Morra raised her batting average 38 points in the contest, going from .220 to now .258.
Carly Zych (W, 1-1) got her fourth start of the season, pitching four innings, walking one and giving up two runs on four hits. The freshman scored her first win in the contest.
After going down 1-0 in the top of the first, VU rallied for five runs in the bottom half of the inning.
The scoring began with a
Maranda Runco groundout to second to score
Maddie Burrows and was followed by a
Lexi Kobryn RBI single.
Lilly St. Jean and Morra then both hit RBI doubles to extend the lead to 4-1 before
Ava Mahnken hit an RBI single to cap the inning.
Monmouth (6-12) scored a run in the top of the second to lower the deficit to 5-2.
Once again, the 'Cats responded, adding three to their tally. With the bases loaded, St. Jean began the rally after getting hit by a pitch before Morra hit a two-run double to put Villanova up 8-2
Katie Reed hit her fourth home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth to put VU up 9-2. Reed's four home runs are tied for the team lead with Runco and tied for fifth in BIG EAST.
Sophia Mount pitched the top of the fifth, keeping the game at 9-2 and allowing the 'Cats a chance to walk-off the game.
Kobryn's second of the game and team-leading 13th RBI ended the game early as Burrows came across for the Villanova win.
Ava Mahnken went 2-3 at the plate with an RBI.
Up Next
Villanova continues BIG EAST play at home versus Butler Friday through Sunday. The 'Cats began BIG EAST play with a series win over DePaul March 6-8.
