NEW YORK —  The Columbia softball team was dealt its first home loss of the season on Wednesday, falling to defending MAAC champion Monmouth, 8-2.
Monmouth (22-12) jumped ahead with three runs in the first and rode the arm of Alyssa Irons the rest of the way. Columbia (14-15) got to her for two runs in the second to cut the lead to 4-2, but Irons (17-7) allowed just one hit from the third inning on to pick up the three-hit, complete game victory.
Amber Swinarski went 1-for-3 for the Lions, driving in both runs with her first double of the season. First-year Abby Stuart was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
The Hawks picked up 11 hits on the day and were led by Lindsey Baron's 4-for-5, three-run, three-RBI performance. Baron doubled in a run in the second and added a two-run homer in Monmouth's three-run sixth. Amber Wozniak and Amanda Hopeck picked up two hits and two RBIs apiece.
Rookie Alexa Pinarski started in the circle and lasted five-plus innings before Baron's home run ended her day. She was charged with seven runs on 10 hits. Junior Madison Canby tossed the final two innings, allowing a run while striking out three.
The first two Hawks to come to bat reached base and were driven in on a one-out double to left center off the bat of Wozniak. Hopeck singled to left two pitches later to make for a three-run first. A one-out RBI double by Baron in the second made it a 4-0 game.
Columbia cut the lead in half in the home half of the second. Stuart led off the inning with a single up the middle and Amanda Nishihira drew a two-out walk to put runners at the corners for Swinarski. The junior slapped an 0-2 pitch down the line in left that skipped off the outstretched glove of Katie Harrington and brought home both runs.
Monmouth added to a run to its lead in the fourth. With the bases loaded and one out, Kayla Rosado hit a ball to short that Pagane came home with for the force. Nishihira quickly threw to first to try and complete the double play, but Rosado was called safe. Baron, who began the at-bat on second base, rounded third on the throw to first and scored.
The Hawks opened up their lead with three more in the sixth, scoring two on Baron's homer before plating their final run of the day on a sac fly off the bat of Hopeck.
Columbia (6-3 Ivy) continues league action this weekend with a three-game home series against Cornell (2-7 Ivy). First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader at the Columbia Softball Stadium is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
