WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth University topped visiting NJIT 10-3 in baseball action on Friday afternoon, as Hawks' starter Brad Brach became the all-time leader in career strikeouts, while earning his 22nd career victory.
NJIT posted two runs in the first inning off Brach, as the Highlanders used a leadoff walk and two singles to right center to net two scores.
In the bottom of the second, Monmouth freshman Nick Pulsonetti laced a two-run home run to left centerfield off a 1-1 offering from starter Rob Pietrocola, to knot the score at 2-2. Pulsonetti's second homer of the year drove in Paul Bottigliero, who led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch.
The Hawks tacked on an unearned run in the third inning, as Shawn Teters dropped in a one-out single, Andy Meyers walked and Bottigliero was plunked again. With the bases loaded, Pulsonetti lifted a fly ball to left, and an errant throw home allowed Teters to cross the plate, putting Monmouth ahead 3-2.
Monmouth posted a seven-run seventh frame to take a 10-2 advantage. In the inning, the Hawks recorded seven hits, as Bottigliero and Pulsonetti each delivered two-run knocks, and Ryan Terry, who led off the inning with a single and run, rounded out the scoring with an RBI single.
After NJIT put two runners on, with one out in the top of the eighth inning, Tim Ballard entered and registered two outs to maintain the Hawks' advantage.
Brach (1-1) earned the win, working 7.1 innings, with eight punchouts, setting the new Monmouth record with 226 career strikeouts. The senior, who allowed no runs after the first inning, scattered eight hits, while walking one. Brach's record-setting strikeout came in the second inning, as the righty tossed an 86 mph fastball at the knees of Ricky Petrosino to end the frame.
After allowing a leadoff single in the ninth, freshman John McDonald surrendered one run behind two wild pitches.
Pulsonetti, Terry and John Dennis each collected two hits apiece, while Pulsonetti drove in a season-best four runs.
Monmouth, now 5-8, has won three straight games, while NJIT falls to 2-17 overall.
Pietrocola (0-2) was credited with the loss for the Highlanders, as the junior tossed 6.1 innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits, while striking out five Hawks. Mike Burgaleta surrendered the remaining two scores, off three hits in two-thirds of an inning, while Spiro Molfetas worked a scoreless eighth frame.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow afternoon, when the Hawks host NJIT once again. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Senior Matt Marc-Aurele (0-1) is set to start for the Blue and White, and will likely face freshman Anthony Corsi.
