MADISON, NJ (April 1, 2021) -- The King's College Monarchs recorded their first series sweep of the 2021 season, defeating the host FDU-Florham Devils, 6-2 and 9-2, in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play Thursday afternoon. The Monarchs now improve to 11-5 overall behind another explosive offensive performance and great defensive performances behind sophomore Gabrielle Visconti in game one and first-year Brandi McIntosh in game two.

Game 1 (W, 6-2):
First-year Kiersten Krouse led things off, reaching safely on an FDU error and advancing to second base. Krouse scored from second on an RBI single from senior Mindina Lieback before some timely walks and savvy base running plated two more runs with the Monarchs leading, 3-0, after just one inning of action.

FDU (3-9) had a chance to put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning as Taylor Tobey worked her way to third with just one out, but a great defensive effort on a stolen base attempt saw sophomore catcher Bailey Loyack hit junior shortstop Lindsey Leppo on a pickoff attempt before Leppo fired it home for Loyack to chase down Tobey and tag her out.

The Devils got another chance in the bottom of the fourth as they plated two runs on four hits, threatening to tie the game with runners on second and third with two outs but Visconti delivered a strikeout to shut down the FDU run as the Monarchs continued to lead, 3-2.

Visconti went on to pitch three scoreless innings on the mound for the Monarchs, helping her case at the plate as she scored in the sixth and drove in an RBI with a double in the seventh to play a part in two of the final three King's runs of the game, securing the win in game one, 6-2, over the host Devils.

Visconti led the offense, going 2-for-3, with two doubles, an RBI, and a run. She also pitched the complete game, giving up just two runs and striking out three to improve to 4-2 on the season. Krouse also had a strong outing, going 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases.

Kacie Centineo, Nicole Casale, and Abbey Scarengelli all posted two hits in the loss. Scarengelli recorded the loss on the mound for the Devils, pitching two innings and giving up three runs on one hit.

Game 2 (W, 9-2):
King's loaded the bases with just one out behind singles from Lieback and Skok before senior Morgan Briggs delivered a two-RBI double. Sophomore April Bonwit delivered the final two runs of the inning with a two-out two-RBI single, giving the Monarchs the early 4-0 lead.

After a quiet three innings, Briggs delivered again in the top of the fifth after Lieback reached on an error and made it to third on a two-out single from Skok before Briggs drove in Lieback, pushing the Monarchs advantage to 5-0.

FDU got on the board in the bottom of the fifth after a lead-off double from Heather Priante and an RBI single from Centineo. The Devils still threatened to make their comeback with two on and no outs, but a strikeout from McIntosh and two stops in the field silenced the Devils and saw the Monarchs holding on to their 5-1 lead.

The Monarchs took care of business in the top of the sixth. A leadoff double from senior Gabriella Medina and a one-out double from Krouse plated the first of the four runs. An RBI-single from Lieback scored Krouse, and Lieback advanced to third on a double from Loyack. Skok finished the scoring run, knocking in Lieback and Loyack with a two-RBI double, giving King's a comfortable 9-1 lead.

The Devils loaded the bases on two singles and a Monarchs error before recording the final run of the game. A pop-up to Skok at first ended the inning as King's held their 9-2 lead heading to the final inning of action.

A quick top of the seventh left FDU with just one more chance to recover from the deficit. They put a runner on with a lead-off single from Morgan DeLoreto, but back-to-back plays in right field for sophomore Hannah Farr and a heads-up grab by McIntosh on the mound ended game two, giving the Monarchs the series sweep with the 9-2 win in game two on the road.

Skok led the Monarchs offense going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run to lead a 12-hit effort that included five doubles. Briggs also had a great day at the plate, posting a 2-for-4 effort with a team-high three RBIs and a run, while Lieback also went 2-for-4 with a team-high three runs and an RBI. Additionally, Loyack totaled two runs and Bonwit added two RBIs in the win.

McIntosh picked up her third win for the Monarchs, pitching all seven innings and giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out two.

Centineo paced the Devils with a 2-for-4 effort, and Ciara Hoffman recorded the loss in seven innings allowing 12 hits and nine runs, all earned.

King's will be off for the holiday break and will return to action in eight days as they return home to Betzler to host Arcadia University in MAC Freedom play on April 10 starting at 1:00 p.m.