SUMTER, S.C.–The Monroe University Softball team (6-0 overall) concluded their South Carolina road trip with a sweep over USC Sumter (0-2 overall) by scores of a 10-0 run-rule victory in game two and a 7-6 victory in game one. In game two, Jaleila Aupont threw her first no-hitter of her career while striking out 10 batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

·      Monroe jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a sacrifice fly by Richeilys Rodriguez scored Reese Surratt from third, giving the Mustangs their first run of the game.

·      A pair of RBI singles by the Fire Ants in the bottom of the inning would give USC Sumter the 2-1 lead.

·      Later in the inning, the Fire Ants added two more runs coming off a wild pitch and a throwing error by the Mustangs to give them a 4-1 lead.

·      The Mustangs answered back in the top of the second inning with an RBI double by Gabriella Pugliese, scoring McKenzie Williams from third base to cut the Fire Ants' lead to 4-2.

·      USC Sumter tacked on another run in the bottom half of the second off an error by the third baseman, scoring the runner from third base to give the Fire Ants a 5-2 lead.

·      In the top of the third inning, the Mustangs added two runs off a wild pitch which scored Surratt from third and a fielding error by the left fielder which scored Kerris Johnson to cut the Fire Ants' lead to 5-4.

·      In the top of the fourth inning, the Mustangs took the lead for the first time in the game after a passed ball scored in Alexis Ortiz from third base and a fielders choice groundout right after scored in Pugliese from third base to give the Mustangs a 6-5 lead.

·      The Fire Ants tied the game back at 6-6 after an RBI single by Anabel Ramirez.

·      In the top of the seventh inning, Lizbeth Zambrano hit a sacrifice fly to the left fielder, scoring Surratt to give the Mustangs the eventual 7-6 victory.

Game 2

·      The Mustangs opened game two with six runs, starting with a two-RBI double by Rodriguez to put Monroe ahead 2-0.

·      Then Monroe added two more runs off an error by the shortstop, scoring Zoe Thomson and Rodriguez to put the Mustangs ahead 4-0.

·      The Mustangs added two more runs in the top of the first courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Aupont and a RBI triple by Pugliese to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead.

·      In the top of the second inning, the Mustangs added two more runs coming off an error by the centerfielder and an RBI single by Carsyn O'Daniels to put the Mustangs ahead 8-0.

·      In the top of the third inning, an RBI double by Jocelyn Shuman would score in Pugliese from third to increase the Mustangs' lead to 9-0.

·      An RBI double from Rodriguez in the top of the fifth inning would seal the 10-0 victory for the Mustangs.

STATS AND NOTES

·      Monroe now leads the all-time series against USC Sumter 11-3.

·      Jaleila Aupont threw her first career no-hitter and the first no-hitter for the Mustangs since 2024.

·      Game two's 10-0 score was the third time this season the Mustangs have run-ruled their opponent.

·      This is the fifth time the Mustangs have scored double-digit runs against the Fire Ants.

·      The Mustangs tallied a combined 19 hits in both games, with 10 coming in game two.

UP NEXT

·      The Mustangs return to action on Tuesday, February 24, when they begin an eight-game road stand in Texas starting with Blinn College. First-pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.