EASTON, Pa. – Sophomore Paige Grover went 3-for-4 with three doubles and an RBI as Lafayette topped Monmouth 7-2 in the second game of Wednesday's non-conference softball doubleheader.
 
It was a bounce-back win for the Leopards who dropped game one at Metzgar Fields 9-0. Lafayette's bats were working early, jumping on Monmouth starter Lilly Robles for a pair of runs in the first. Erin Scott (single) and Hannah Lee both plated runs as Lafayette led 2-1.
 
The game was tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the third inning after Lindsey Baron hit her second home run of the afternoon.
 
Grover's second double of the game set the stage for the big inning. Erica Hanson followed with an infield single. Brooke Wensel blasted a two-run double to straightaway center to score Grover and Hanson and force a pitching change. The Leopards added two more on Malori Pojar fielder's choice and a 1^st-and-3^rd steal for the 6-2 lead.
 
Lafayette plated an insurance run in the sixth as Grover placed her third double down the right field line to score Natasha Miner.
 
Stacy Gordon turned in another strong outing, holding Monmouth to pair of runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and a lone walk.
 
In game one, Monmouth (27-13) scored a run in every inning but the third to secure a 9-0 victory.
 
Lafayette starter Kinzi Van Wyk retired the first two batters of the game before loading the bases. Katie Harrington drew a walk for the first run of the game. In the second inning, Baron lifted a two-run homer to center field to stretch the lead to 3-0.
 
That was all of the offense Monmouth needed, as Hawks pitcher Alyssa Irons limited Lafayette to three singles (B. Wensel, Scott and Lee). Irons (21-7) struck out nine and walked one.
 
The visitors broke open the game with a four-run sixth inning off Lafayette reliever Hannah Cook. Monmouth sent 10 batters to plate, using five hits and a Leopard error for the 9-0 final.
 
Lafayette (7-28-1) closes its eight-game home stand this weekend, opening a three-game series with conference foe Boston U. on Saturday. Prior to the noon start of game one, Lafayette will host Senior Day.