WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth used three two-run home runs, along with 17 hits, to capture a 19-5 win over Fairleigh Dickinson in the second game of a Northeast Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. With the win Monmouth set a single-season record for victories, improving to 34-13 overall and 19-5 in the NEC.
The Hawks, who took three of four from the Knights in the weekend series, got multi-hit games from Kyle Higgins (4-for-5), Shawn Teters (2-for-3), Andy Meyers (2-for-3), Chris Collazo (3-for-4) and Cal Costanzo in the win.
Monmouth loaded the bases in the first inning, and notched a run when Nick Pulsonetti grounded into a double play, allowing Higgins to score, after he led off the game with a single. The Hawks went ahead 2-0 when Teters crossed home on a wild pitch charged to FDU starting pitcher John Meadus.
FDU took a 3-2 lead top of the second behind an RBI groundout from Brian Dillon, and run scoring singles from Jeff Vincent and Brett Lazar.
The Knights went ahead 4-2 in the third when Vincent Pennacchio delivered a two-out single up the middle, plating Matt Maher, who led off the frame with a single through the right side.
Teters tied the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the third when the senior connected on a two-run home run to left center, his second of the season, driving in Higgins, who started off the frame with a single. After a free pass was handed to Meyers, his fourth walk of the day, Pulsonetti connected on a two-run shot of his own to put the Hawks ahead 6-4, his team-leading 10th of the year.
FDU pulled within 6-5 in the top of the fifth when Maher collected a one-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and moved to third on a groundout. Another wild pitch allowed Maher to score, pulling the Knights within a single run.
Meyers joined the two-run home run parade with a two-run shot to right on a 3-2 pitch off reliever Michael Strachman, to give Monmouth an 8-5 lead in the fifth. After Meyers' homer, Pulsonetti and Ryan Terry each reached and scored on Collazo's flare to right, and a throwing error on the rightfielder, as Monmouth went ahead 10-5.
Monmouth loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh inning after consecutive singles from Tim McEndy and Collazo and a Costanzo hit by pitch. With the bags packed, Brett Holland reached on a fielding error, allowing a run to score, while Higgins and Teters each lifted sac flys to give the Hawks a 13-5 lead.
Monmouth tacked on six runs in eighth inning, highlighted by Higgins' three-run triple, to take a 19-5 lead. In the frame, the Hawks scored six times on four hits, two walks and two FDU errors.
Monmouth starting pitcher Brett Brach (4-2) worked five frames, allowing five runs on seven hits, while striking out three in the win. Kyle Breese worked three shutout innings, allowing two hits, while striking out three. Tim Dexter tossed the ninth for the Hawks,
Higgins went 4-for-5 as the leadoff hitter, with three runs scored and tied a season-high with four RBI. Teters went 2-for-4 with four RBI (tying a career-best). Collazo added three hits, while Meyers, Pulsonetti and Holland each drove in two scores. Pulsonetti's team-leading tenth home run made him the first Hawk since the 2001 season to reach double-digits in that category (Jay Law, 16; Jeff Toth, 13).
Meadus worked three innings, allowing six runs on five hits, including two home runs, in the loss for FDU.
Monmouth returns to action on May 14, when the Hawks take on Saint Peter's in a rescheduled game in Jersey City. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
