WEEHAWKEN, NJ (April 2, 2022) -- A thrilling MAC Freedom doubleheader in Weehawken, NJ saw the King's College softball team post the doubleheader split, defeating the host Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks 6-6 in eight innings in game one before falling, 3-2, in 10 innings in game two of the conference series. The Monarchs now stand at 9-6 overall and 3-3 in the conference standings, while the Ducks are 3-9 with a 1-1 conference mark.

Game 1 - W, 6-5 (8 Innings):
In the thrilling comeback win in game one of the conference doubleheader, Stevens (3-9, 1-1 MAC Freedom) got on the board first as they plated two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI double to left field and a bunt fielder's choice to take the early 2-0 lead. The Ducks added another tally in the second on an RBI double down the left field line to hold the 3-0 advantage.

King's (9-6, 3-3 MAC Freedom) earned their first runs of the series in the top of the third. Sophomore Kiersten Krouse got the offense rolling with a lead off bunt single before advancing to second on a single through the left side by senior Lindsey Leppo. A bunt single from junior Bailey Loyack loaded the bases to set up a sacrifice fly to center field from graduate student Morgan Briggs on a full count. A walk from junior Gabrielle Visconti would load the bases again before first year Harley Sullivan drove in the tying runs with two outs on a single to left field as the game was tied at three runs a piece after three innings of play.

Stevens regained the lead in the fourth on a wild pitch, and after a quick fifth and sixth innings, the Monarchs tied up the game to force extra innings in the top of the seventh. Loyack led off with a double to fight field and advanced to third on a single to left field from Briggs. Visconti would drive in Loyack with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Loyack delivered again, this time in the field, as she caught the fly out and threw out the game-winning run at the plate to send the opener to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, junior Hannah Farr worked a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. An RBI single up-the-middle from junior Olivia Krupski plated the game-winning run in Farr with no outs. A single from Krouse advanced Krupski to third before she scored on an RBI single up-the-middle from Loyack to give King's the insurance run heading to the bottom of the eighth.

Stevens got one back with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, but a ground out to sophomore pitcher Brandi McIntosh ended the game, giving King's the 6-5 win in extra innings in game one of the MAC Freedom doubleheader.

Loyack led King's as she went 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Krouse, Leppo, and Sullivan all posted multi-hit games as Sullivan drove in a team-high two RBIs. McIntosh earned her fifth win of the season in the full 8.0 innings, striking out four and allowing just three earned runs.

Alex Schoellig and Meg Halloran recorded multi-hit games for the Ducks in game one, as Halloran scored twice. Kaitlin Smith was awarded the loss in 2.0 innings of relief, giving up two runs.

Game 2 - L, 2-3 (10 Innings):
The second game saw the Monarchs get on the board thanks to consecutive singles from Leppo and Loyack before Sullivan drove in Leppo to take the early 1-0 lead. King's tallied another run in the second after a lead off single to left from sophomore Molly Gillette as she was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Sydney Bachman. Two wild pitches would allow Gillette to cross as King's held the 2-0 advantage.

A defensive battle ensued before Stevens plated their first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth on a single through the right side to pull within one, 2-1. The Ducks tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double to right center. King's turned a beautiful double play as Leppo threw out the runner at first before Gillette hit Visconti at third to make the tag and end the winning with the score tied at two each.

King's had an opportunity to put the game away in the top of the seventh, but this time it was the Ducks defense that came up with a great defensive play to force extra innings in the second game of the series.

After a quick eighth inning, both teams had a chance to put a run on the board in the ninth, but neither delivered to put the international tie breaker rule into effect in the tenth.

King's stranded their runner, and a costly error in the bottom of the inning allowed the Duck runner to score to hand the Monarchs a 3-2 loss in 10 innings in MAC Freedom play.

Visconti, Gilette, and first year Emily Novicki all posted two hits in the loss. Novicki tossed all 9.1 innings for the Monarchs to earn her second loss of the season, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and striking out seven.

Jessica Guerrero and Madison Kidd recorded two hits each for Stevens in game two with a double each. Kaitlin Smith came into the circle in relief again for the Ducks, this time earning the win in 8.0 innings of work and holding the Monarchs scoreless down the stretch.

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King's will enjoy their Sunday break as they prepare to take on the Giants of Keystone College in La Plume, PA on Monday, April 4. The non-conference doubleheader is set to begin at 3:00 p.m.