ANNAPOLIS, MD. ? Junior Chris Collazo's RBI single in the top of the 12th inning proved to be the difference in the Hawks' 7-4 victory over the University of Maine, on Sunday afternoon. With the win in the last game of the Navy Baseball Round-Robin Tournament, the Blue and White improve to 3-8, while the Blackbears fall to 5-11 on the year.
Mike Casale led off the top of the extra frame with a double to left field. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Collazo's single up the middle plated Casale for the game-winning run. The Hawks tacked on insurance as Kyle Higgins' second triple of the season scored Collazo for the two-run advantage. The rally continued when Shawn Teters reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Higgins for the 7-4 lead.
Monmouth struck first in the opening frame as Higgins led off the contest with a single. Back-to-back doubles by Teters and Andy Meyers gave the Hawks a 2-0 advantage and the offense continued in the second as Casale sent a triple down the right field line for a 3-0 Monmouth lead.
The Blackbears started their comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Down 4-0 after a Kyle Benoit balk plated Teters in top of the inning, Maine got its first run on an error allowing Curt Smith to score. Danny Mendendez's ground out to short allowed Myckie Lugbauer to cross home and cut the Hawks lead to two.
Maine forced extra innings in the bottom of the ninth as Menendez's double down the left field line scored Kevin Jackson, who lead off the inning with a walk. Joe Mercurio's single through the left side tied the game at 4-4.
Monmouth received a strong performance from starter Matt Marc-Aurele, allowing no runs on five hits in seven innings of work. Sophomore Ryan Buch, who came on in the 10th, worked three scoreless innings with six strikeouts, to pick up the win.
The Hawks, who had eight extra-base hits in the game, collected 15 hits overall. Higgins went 4-for-6 with two runs scored, while Casale, who had two triples and a double, and Collazo each had three hits.
Monmouth returns to action this Thursday, March 20th, when the Hawks head to Jersey City to take on Saint Peter's at 3 p.m.
