BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Monmouth senior Brad Brach earned his seventh win, while sophomore Nick Vallillo picked up his first save, as the Hawks defeated Long Island University 9-4 on Saturday afternoon, in Northeast Conference play. Monmouth, which collected 15 hits, paced by John Dennis' three RBI, improved to 35-14 overall and 20-5 in the NEC.

In a game that was delayed more than two hours by soggy field conditions at KeySpan Park, Monmouth scored twice in the top of the second to take an early lead, before Long Island responded with three runs in the bottom of the third.
 
The Hawks countered in their next at-bat when Shawn Teters singled to lead off and moved to second on a passed ball. After he was sacrificed over to third he came around to score when Dennis grounded out. In the fifth inning, second baseman Chris Collazo hit a run-scoring single off Long Island starter Eric Hinkle  to put Monmouth ahead for good. Later in the frame, Teters executed a squeeze play to plate a valuable insurance run, giving the Hawks a 5-3 advantage.
 
In the bottom of the fifth an RBI single to cut the deficit to 5-4, but Monmouth scored three times in the sixth and once more in the eighth to earn the win.

Brach (7-2) earned the win with five innings of four-run ball, giving up eight hits, while fanning three. Vallillo pitched four scoreless innings of one-hit ball in relief to record his first save.

Paul Bottigliero collected three hits and scored twice for the Hawks, while Andy Meyers, Nick Pulsonetti and Chris Collazo each had two hits.