Monmouth Soars Past Softball in Doubleheader - Manhattan University Athletics

West Long Branch, N.J. (April 8, 2008) ? The Manhattan College Softball team fell to Monmouth University in a non-conference doubleheader, 6-4 and 8-1. In the first game, Nichole Michel went 2-4 driving in two RBI's in the loss. Jaclyn Churilla was a perfect 2-2 in the second game for the Lady Jaspers.

In the first game, Manhattan struck early as Michel singled to drive in her first run of the game to make it 1-0 in favor of the Lady J's. Michel would add her second RBI of the game as she doubled to right field to score Danielle Just who hit a double in the previous at bat. But the Eagles came flying in, as they put up six runs in the bottom of the fifth to have the Lady Jaspers trailing, 6-2.

In the top of the sixth, Devon Gustafson led off the inning with a single as she then advanced to second on a Monmouth error by a hit ball from Kara Cokeley. After Kristina Walraven was intentionally walked, Erika Sullivan came up with a big two out single to score Gustafson. Churilla would come home on a bad throw and make it a 6-4 game. But the bats would not continue going, as the Lady Jaspers fell in the first game.

In the second game, Monmouth was the one to strike first as they put up four total runs in the first two innings. In the third inning, down 4-0 Gianna Cirilli led off the inning with a single and two batters later, was driving home by Gustafson. Manhattan had trouble containing Monmouth's bats as they would put up four more runs later in the game.

Michel finished the day 3-6, driving in two runs. Churilla was 2-4 in the two games, scoring once and drawing a walk. Gustafson had a big day, going 4-7 from the plate while scoring a run and driving one in as well.

The Lady Jaspers will return to action tomorrow, Wednesday April 9 where they will travel to take on Seton Hall University. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.