WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Tim McEndy's pinch-hit, two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth inning paced Monmouth to an 8-4 comeback win over NJIT on Saturday afternoon. Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, the Hawks (6-8) outscored the Highlanders 6-0 over the final four frames to earn their fourth straight victory.
NJIT posted a run in the first inning, as Craig Binkiewicz reached on an error to lead off the contest. After a Binkiewicz stolen base, Miguel Lugo's single to left center put runners at the corners with no outs. The Highlanders cracked the scoring column when Matt Schlitter grounded into a double play and Binkiewicz crossed the plate.
Kyle Higgins started the Monmouth first frame by reaching on an error, successfully stole second and third, and crossed home when Andy Meyers' grounder to second was misplayed, tying the score at 1-1.
The Highlanders retook a one-run lead in the second inning when John Berner's fly ball to right was dropped, allowing Mike Turner to score with two outs.
NJIT pushed the lead to 3-1 in the third inning, as two Higgins' errors in the frame allowed Lugo to reach safely and eventually score.
Monmouth pulled within 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Ryan Terry drew a two-out walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Meyers' infield hit.
Berner connected on a one-out single for the Highlanders in the fourth inning and went first-to-third on Matt Tomczyk's single. On Tomczyk's single to left, a fielding error put runners on second and third, and after a walk loaded the bases, Monmouth's sixth error allowed NJIT to take a 4-2 advantage. The Hawks turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Marc-Aurele worked 5.2 innings for the Hawks, allowing one earned run on five hits, with four strikeouts. Ryan Buch, who threw four pitches to strike out Matt Schlitter, ended the sixth frame in relief of Marc-Aurele.
Monmouth rallied in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs to claim its first lead of the game. Paul Bottigliero led off with his third hit-by-a-pitch and Casale added a one-out bunt single. Chris Collazo then reached on a fielding error, which allowed Bottigliero to score, pulling the Hawks within 4-3. Tim McEndy then sent reliever Spiro Molfetas' first offering into the left field gap for a triple, the first of his career, putting Monmouth ahead 5-4.
The Hawks tacked on a run in the seventh to go up 6-4, when Meyers doubled to right field, stole third, and came home on Bottigliero's single up the middle.
MU added to its lead in the eighth inning, when Terry singled to left field, plating Matt McEndy, who led off with a walk, and advanced to second on Higgins' sacrifice bunt. After loading the bases, a wild pitch allowed Terry to cross the plate, giving Monmouth an 8-4 lead.
Buch, who struck out the side in the eighth inning, finished with five strikeouts en route to his second win of the season.
Monmouth, which finished with a season-high eight errors, was led offensively by the two-hit days of Terry, Meyers and Casale.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow afternoon, when the Hawks travel to Newark, New Jersey to face NJIT at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Sophomore Brett Brach (1-1) is set to start for the Blue and White.
