WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth baseball team ran its winning streak to seven straight games, with a 6-5 non-conference victory over Rutgers on Wednesday afternoon., as sophomore Nick Vallillo tossed three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. With the victory, the Hawks improve to 9-8 overall, while the Scarlet Knights fall to 8-15.
Monmouth, which loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, packed the bags in the second with no outs, and Chris Collazo, who led off with a walk scored on a wild pitch from Rutgers' starter Tony Wargo, making the score 1-0. Wargo, who walked three in the frame was then lifted with the bags full, after a free pass was issued to Kyle Higgins. Freshman Ryan Terry then greeted Dale Hering, making his collegiate debut, with a single through the left side, put the Hawks ahead 2-0.
The Blue and White pushed the lead to 4-0 when Paul Bottigliero was hit by a pitch, forcing in John Dennis, and Nick Pulsonetti fielder's choice drove in another run.
The Scarlet Knights evened the contest in the top of the fifth inning, when Jarred Jimenez tripled off of Andy McDonnell with the bases loaded to knot the game at 4-4. McDonnell came on in relief of starter Brett Conner with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Hawks retook the lead with one out in the bottom of the sixth as Andy Meyers grounded into an apparent double play, but no one covered first and the senior was safe, plating Higgins from third to make the score 5-4. MU tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Higgins drove in Brett Holland. On the play, Monmouth attempted to add another run but Collazo was thrown out by Jimenez, trying to score.
Justin Esposito came on in the top of the ninth looking to nail down the save, but was chased after Rutgers scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Dan Betteridge. Brett Brach came on to record the final two outs, including a final out strikeout, for his second save of the season.
Conner, making his first start since the 2005 season, worked 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Vallillo, who earned his first win of the season, allowed no hits, while striking out four over his three frames.
Higgins, who walked three times in the leadoff spot, went 2-for-2 with two runs scored to pace the Hawks' offense. Holland, who has 11 hits over his last four games, went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Monmouth returns to action this weekend, when the Hawks open league play with an NEC series at Sacred Heart. Friday's game, at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is set for 3:30 p.m.
