The baseball team recorded wins over Wofford on Saturday, Mar. 11 and another against George Washington on Sunday, Mar. 19 over spring break.
The Hawks scored four of their six runs in the top of the ninth inning against Wofford, snapping a seven-game losing streak. Senior outfielder Ryan Crowley came up with the bases loaded and hit a fly ball to left field, which was dropped and allowed freshman catcher Zach Schild to score the go-ahead run from third base. Senior outfielder Tom Jakubowski then hit a three-run home run to right that gave the Hawks a 6-2 lead.
Wofford scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth but sophomore right-handed pitcher Joe Molettiere secured the win with a strikeout securing their 6-4 victory. Junior infielder Aidan Favia finished the game going 4-for-5 and Crowley finished with an RBI and two runs scored.
Pitching was the key for the Hawks. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Ksiazek pitched 5 and 2/3 innings allowing only three hits and two earned runs. Molettiere tossed 3 and 1/3 innings, allowing no earned runs and recording six strikeouts.
“It is nice to get back that W (win) that has been somewhat elusive,” Head Coach Dean Ehehalt said. “Ksiazek and Molettiere pitched excellent. Joe definitely gave us a lift with some late inning energy. Zach Schild was a huge contributor both on offense and defense. Of course, Tommy (Tom Jakubowski) had the big blow, which was nice to see. I hope that gets him jumpstarted.”
MU won their second game against George Washington 3-1 on Friday, Mar. 17.
“We played with some toughness today and the result was a solid team win.” Ehehalt said. “We played with some purpose today and it is encouraging to see.”
Pitching once again shined for the blue and white as sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan McCrum pitched 6 and 1/3 innings, allowing only one run and four hits. McCrum retired 11 in a row from innings three to six.
Molettiere and senior left-handed pitcher Justin Andrews finished the game for MU, pitching a combined 2 and 2/3 innings allowing only one hit and no runs. Senior infielders Shaine Hughes and Grant Lamberton each went 2-for-4, with Hughes adding an RBI and a run scored. Hughes and senior outfielder Dan Shea each hit solo home runs, their third of the season.
Monmouth is now 3-13 on the season after spring break and will host a three-game weekend series to open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play against Quinnipiac with a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 25 and the series finale on Sunday, Mar. 26.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
