Monmouth baseball secured its second series sweep of the season over their conference rival, the Towson Tigers, this weekend. It marked their third sweep of the season and allowed the Hawks to maintain their hold on first place in the CAA North Division. This is the Hawks first time since 2018 that they have gotten three series sweeps in the span of one season. This series also allowed several Monmouth players to hit key milestones.
The Hawks opened the series on Friday afternoon, securing an 8-2 victory. The team capitalized early and maintained control throughout. Freshman shortstop Sam Saucke sparked the offense, leading off with a double and quickly established himself as a key contributor to the series. Saucke continued his offensive efforts in the bottom of the second inning, driving in two runs to extend the early lead.
On the mound, sophomore righty Ryan Mealy delivered a strong seven-inning performance, allowing just one run and avoiding any walks. Mealy struck out five Tigers, which was key in keeping Towson off the board. Towson attempted to answer the Hawks’ offense in the seventh with a solo homerun to right field, but still fell short.
Monmouth extended their lead in the bottom half of the inning, as senior infielder Simmi Whitehill singled to left field and advanced to second on a walk to senior outfielder Nick Lovarco. Junior catcher Brendan Buecker followed with a two-run single to push the lead further.
Fifth year pitcher Kevin Opanel closed out the eighth efficiently, keeping the momentum with Monmouth. Whitehill added another RBI single in the bottom of the inning, sealing the Hawks their first win of the series.
Game two began early Saturday afternoon, and graduate righty Alec Couture took the mound as Monmouth’s starting pitcher. Towson earned the first run in the top of the opening inning. After several scoreless innings from both teams, junior outfielder RJ Mustaro lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing in the Hawks first run of the game.
The Tigers responded in the fifth, regaining the lead with another RBI, but Monmouth countered in the following inning. Whitehill, a key source of energy this game, singled to left field and advanced into scoring position with a stolen base which would set up Buecker’s game-tying bunt. Whitehill would go on to score for the 27th time this season during this season, evidence of his pivotal role to the Hawks in the standings. Sophomore designated hitter Jake Howlett followed with an RBI single, putting the Hawks back in front. Buecker kept his previous momentum going and gave the Hawks two additional runs after a single to right field, turning the game on its heel.
In the bottom of the eighth, junior first baseman Chris Walsh stepped up to plate, doubling and giving Monmouth its sixth and final run of the day. Towson attempted a late attack in the ninth, scoring three runs and narrowing the margin, but the rally ultimately fell short, and the Hawks held on, giving them a 6-5 victory.
The final game of the series took place on Sunday and it was nothing short of a track meet as the game ended with Monmouth grabbing a big 10-8 win. The Hawks started off the scoring with a huge three-run home run from Lovarco in the first inning, his fifth of the season. Towson got themselves on the board in the second with a solo homerun, but the Hawks quickly got that run back after Howlett added a solo shot of his own.
In the top of the third, Towson fought back and tied the game at four with a three run inning. In the bottom of the third, Monmouth regained control after Mustaro came through with a sacrifice fly, giving him his 21st RBI of the season and scoring Whitehill. Lovarco also scored after an error on the play, pushing Monmouth’s lead to 6-4.
Towson would eventually tie the game at six in the seventh inning, but this tie would not stand for long, as Monmouth’s bats came alive. A big eighth inning that included RBI singles from both Whitehall and Buecker, as well as a two-run double from Lovarco put the Hawks up 10-6.
Towson scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but Monmouth was able to end the threat and walk away with a 10-8 win over the Tigers. Some notable performers for Monmouth included Lovarco, who ended the day 2-4 with five RBI’s, Whitehill, who finished 2-4 and scored three runs, and Saucke who also ended the game 2-4.
Monmouth now trails only Campbell in terms of CAA record and looks ahead to their next game on Tuesday against out of conference opponent, NJIT, who sits at 11-19 on the year. The Hawks will look to keep their momentum going after a big sweep of their conference rival.
