STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. ? Monmouth University posted a 6-0 victory over Wagner on Sunday afternoon at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Sophomore Brett Brach and junior Tim Ballard combined for the shutout for the Hawks, which improved Monmouth to 7-1 in conference play and 18-9 overall.
Overall, Ballard, who increased his scoreless inning streak to 16.0 innings, erased 12 of the 13 batters he faced in 4.0 innings of work, allowing just a two-out single in the ninth. In addition, with his four innings of work, Ballard earned his first career save.
Brach (2-1) worked five shutout frames for the Hawks, scattering six hits, to earn the win. The righty struck out a career best seven, while walking just one.
Monmouth grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Paul Bottigliero led off with a double to left center, and scored after successive groundouts.
The Hawks went ahead 3-0 in the top of the fifth frame as Brett Holland led off with an infield single, and moved into scoring position on John Dennis' sacrifice bunt. Holland crossed home on a Kyle Higgins' single to center, and after Shawn Teters' double put two runners in scoring position, Andy Meyers lifted a sac fly to give the Hawks a three-run lead.
After Nick Pulsonetti led off the sixth inning with a single, and advanced to second on A Chris Collazo sacrifice, Ryan Terry drove Pulsonetti in with a single, making the score 4-0. Holland then followed with his first homer of the season, a two-run shot to right field, giving Monmouth a 6-0 advantage.
In the home half of the sixth, the Seahawks put the first two runners on against Brach, which knocked the sophomore from the contest, holding a 6-0 lead. Ballard entered and immediately recorded three straight outs for the Hawks, to maintain the six-run advantage.
Holland led the nine-hit attack for Monmouth, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Higgins went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Monmouth has now shutout its conference opponent in six of the eight games so far this season, as the Hawks' pitching staff has allowed eight runs, while registering a 1.29 ERA, in league play.
Monmouth returns to action on Tuesday, when the Hawks host in-state rival Rider in non-conference action. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
