Fairfax, Va. - Kate Kuzma knocked two home runs to lead Monmouth to a 9-1 win over UAlbany in non-conference softball action in the final game of George Mason's Cherry Blossom Classic on Sunday morning.

               UAlbany took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Jessica Bergin that scored Dianne MacDowell, who led off the game with a walk. Monmouth tied the game in the bottom of the second when Chelsea Paprocki, who recorded a base hit with two outs to get on base, came home on an RBI single by Christine Scherr. The Hawks broke the game open in the next inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-1 advantage.

               After Shannon Fitzgerald led the frame off with a single to short, Kuzma drove her first homer over the centerfield fence to put Monmouth up, 3-1. After Kaitie Schumacher scored an unearned run for the Hawks, UAlbany pitcher Brittany Schweiger issued a bases-loaded walk to Scherr for the final run of the inning. Monmouth then tacked on three additional runs in the fourth on a two-RBI double by Kayla Weiser and a base hit by Paprocki. Kuzma recorded her second home run of the game in the bottom of the sixth to give the Hawks the 9-1 win.

               Allie Weiser took the loss in the circle for the Great Danes after two and a thirds innings of work. Schweiger and Brittany MacFawn both tossed one and a third innings of relief. Lauren Sulick earned the win in the circle for Monmouth (9-10) with a four-inning performance.

               UAlbany (3-10) will return to action on Saturday, March 26, facing Colgate to start play at the Delaware State Tournament.