NEW BRITAIN, CONN. ? Monmouth withstood a six-run Central Connecticut State rally in game two of a Northeast Conference doubleheader, to hold on for a 9-8 victory.
Monmouth, which has won 11 straight games, built a 9-2 lead in the top of the sixth, and needed Justin Esposito's ninth save to maintain the win. Monmouth improves to 28-9 overall and 14-1 in league play.
Monmouth, which has now won 26 of its last 27 games, got multi-hit games from Kyle Higgins, who went 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot, Andy Meyers, Paul Bottigliero, Nick Pulsonetti and Brett Holland.
Monmouth wasted no time getting on the board in the second game, as Meyers delivered a two-out double, and scored on Bottigliero's single. After Pulsonetti singled to put runners on the corners, Chris Collazo delivered a run-scoring single, to put the Hawks in front 2-0.
The Hawks increased their lead in the second inning when Holland and Higgins each singled, and during a successful double-steal attempt, Holland scored on a throwing error by the catcher. With Higgins now on second base, Meyers delivered an RBI single to right, to put Monmouth ahead 4-0. Bottigliero then followed with his second homer of the year, a two-run shot to left, giving the Hawks a 6-0 advantage.
CCSU cut the lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the second, as the Blue Devils registered a hit-batter, a walk and a single off Monmouth starter Matt Marc-Aurele. In the third inning, back-to-back, two-out hits allowed the Blue Devils to pull within 6-2.
Monmouth tacked on three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 9-2 lead. In the frame, Shawn Teters delivered a two-run triple, plating both Holland and Higgins, who each singled, and Meyers connected on an RBI groundout.
The Blue Devils rallied in the bottom of the sixth, as CCSU registered six runs on six hits, off Marc-Aurele, Tim Ballard, Tim Dexter. After Anthony Sciadone's single through the right side pulled CCSU within 9-6, the Blue Devils loaded the bases with two outs, and Casey Walko delivered a two-run single off Dexter to pull CCSU within a run. With two runners on, Justin Esposito's offering induced Pat Epps into a groundout to end the rally.
Despite a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh, Esposito earned his ninth save of the year, and second of the day, preserving the Hawks' 9-8 victory.
Monmouth, which had at least four hits in each of the first two innings, registered 13 base knocks in the game.
Meyers' first inning double gave him 60 career doubles, making him Monmouth's all-time leader. The senior went 2-for-2 on the day to pace the Hawks.
Marc-Aurele earned the win for the Hawks, improving his record to 3-2 on the year. The senior worked five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, with five strikeouts. Ballard allowed three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning, while Esposito picked up his second save of the day, working an inning and a third.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow, with the final game of the NEC series at Central Connecticut State. First pitch at Beehive Field in New Britain, Conn., is set for 11 a.m.
