WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth University junior Brad Brach (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) threw a complete-game, no-hitter to pace the Hawks to a 2-0 win over Long Island University in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. The complete game was Brach's second straight nine-inning outing, both victories.

The junior right-hander, who was perfect through eight and a third, struck out six, to improve to 4-1 on the year. One batter short of perfect, Brach allowed a walk to catcher Dan Etkin with one out in the ninth inning, on a 3-2 pitch.

“I was able to hit all of my spots today and get ahead of hitters,” said Brach. “It feels awesome to be able to accomplish this, and get the win for the team.”

The victory improves Monmouth to 17-10-1 and 3-2 in the NEC, while the Blackbirds fall to 6-18 overall and 1-4 in the league.

Monmouth netted two runs on three hits in the first inning, en route to the win. In the first, Kyle Messineo (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) dropped down a bunt for a single, before advancing to second on a balk and stealing third. Rick Niederhaus (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) drove Messineo in with a two-out double down the rightfield line, before Shawn Teters (Springdale, Ark./Springdale) singled in Niederhaus, for the early 2-0 lead.

Long Island starting pitcher, James Jones (1-3) worked 8.0 innings, scattering three hits, while striking out nine in a loss for the Blackbirds.

Brach's no-hitter was the first for Monmouth since Glenn Spencer threw a seven-inning no-hitter in 1990, a 3-0 win at Mount St. Mary's.

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, when the Hawks and Long Island University play a Northeast Conference doubleheader, starting at noon.