ANNAPOLIS, MD. ? Despite out-hitting Navy 12-7, Monmouth dropped a 6-3 decision to the Midshipmen at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium, on Saturday afternoon. Monmouth, which has out-hit five opponents this season, falls to 2-7. Navy improves to 8-6 on the year.
Designated hitter Mitch Harris, who is an All-American candidate on the mound, put Navy ahead 2-0 in the first inning, taking a Brett Brach 1-1 offering over the left field fence for his second home run of the season.
Monmouth, which had a runner thrown out at the plate on a sacrifice bunt attempt, loaded the bases with two out in the top of third, but was not able to capitalize as Mike Casale was called out on strikes.
The Hawks trimmed the lead in half in the fourth frame, when Brett Holland delivered an RBI triple, followed by Kyle Higgins' run-scoring double off Navy starter Oliver Drake.
In the fifth, Monmouth made the score 4-3 when Tim McEndy, who led off with a walk, crossed the plate on Chris Collazo's double-play groundout off relief pitcher Chris Murray.
With one out in the bottom of the eight, Harris connected on his second two-run homer of the game, this one off Kyle Breese, who started the frame, to give Navy a 6-3 cushion.
Despite a leadoff infield single by Andy Meyers to start the Hawks' ninth, and a two-out double by Casale, Monmouth was unable to notch any runs.
Brach, who had an eight-pitch sixth inning, tossed perfect frames in the fourth, sixth and seventh. The sophomore pitched seven innings, allowing just a two-out single in his final four frames of work. Brach (1-1), who struck out four, was saddled with his first loss of the season.
Matt Frazier recorded the final two outs for the Hawks in the eighth inning, which included one strikeout.
Monmouth, which has now had four straight games with double-digit hits, collected 12 base knocks against Navy. The Hawks were led by Meyers' 3-for-4 outing, while Casale and Collazo each added two hits.
Murray improved to 2-0 on the year for the Midshipmen, tossing four scoreless innings in relief of Drake. JD Melton earned his second save of the season.
Monmouth returns to action on Saturday morning, on day two of the Navy Baseball Round Robin Tournament, when the Hawks face Duquesne University at 11 a.m. Brad Brach (0-0) is set to start for the Hawks against the Dukes.
