Fairfield, Conn. (April 2, 2023)—Mount St. Mary's opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a pair of 1-0 victories at Fairfield on Sunday afternoon.  Avery Neuhart and Olivia Murphy each tossed a complete-game shutout as the Mount's pitching staff extended its scoreless innings streak to 27 with the two wins.  The Mount has won six in a row to improve to 15-12 overall and 2-0 in the MAAC.

In the opening game, the Mount manufactured a run in the top of the first inning, and that was all that Neuhart would need in the 1-0 victory.  Abigayle Perry drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Hannah Gartrell's sacrifice fly for the game's lone run.

Neuhart allowed a one-out triple to Haley Updegraff in the bottom of the first, but escaped the jam with a pair of strikeouts.  The Mount threatened to add to the lead in the third when Vanessa Martin singled, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.  A pair of popouts ended the Mount's scoring threat.

Neuhart was in control from there, allowing just one hit over the final three innings to improve to 5-2 on the season.  Neuhart scattered five hits allowed while striking out four and allowing one walk in the complete game win.  She lowered her season ERA to 1.19 on the year.

The second game was also a pitcher's duel with the Mount breaking a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the seventh for a second consecutive 1-0 victory.  Murphy struck out five while allowing six hits to improve to 4-1 over her past five appearances.

Murphy pitched around a one-out double in the second and recorded a key strikeout with runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth to keep the game scoreless. 

The Mountaineers finally broke through for a run in the top of the seventh.  Martin doubled to lead off the inning, and after a pair of outs, Maggie Kane came through with a clutch RBI double to put the Mount ahead, 1-0.

Murphy retired the Stags (5-14, 0-2 MAAC) in order in the bottom of the seventh to post the shutout victory.

The Mount's pitching staff has recorded three consecutive shutouts and have tossed 27 scoreless innings dating back to allowing a pair of runs in the first inning of a 3-2 win over Coppin State on March 28.  The Mountaineers reduced its team ERA to 2.02 on the year.

Mount St. Mary's returns to action tomorrow with a MAAC doubleheader at Iona.  First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.