WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Mount St. Mary's earned a Northeast Conference split at Monmouth with a 6-1 game two victory. The split moves Monmouth's record to 30-12 overall and 15-4 in the NEC, while MSM improves to 14-27 and 10-8 in league play.
Mount got on the scoreboard first in the second game, as back-to-back one-out singles put runners on the corners for Josh Vittek, who lifted a sac fly to put MSM in front 1-0.
A leadoff walk and a single in the top of the second, which was followed by a wild pitch, put two runners in scoring position for the Mount. The Mountaineers went ahead 2-0 after a Monmouth error on an infield grounder. After a walk loaded the bases, Shane Eyler laced a two-run single up the middle, on a 2-2 pitch, for a 4-0 MSM advantage.
Mount St. Mary's took a 6-0 lead in the top of the fifth, when Matt Staso fisted a two-out, two-run home run down the left field line off Monmouth reliever Andy McDonnell.
Monmouth got on the scoreboard in the home half of the sixth when Cal Costanzo led off with a double, and came home on a Shawn Teters double, making the score 6-1.
After pitching a perfect sixth inning, and retiring the first two batters in the seventh, freshman Steve Sanguiliano allowed two walks and an RBI single, as the Mount grabbed a 7-1 lead.
Monmouth, which loaded the bases in the seventh, made the score 7-2 on a fielder's choice groundout by Costanzo, and pulled within 7-3 on a Kyle Higgins double. With two runners in scoring position, Teters grounded out to end the threat.
Matt Marc-Aurele (3-3) worked just two innings for Monmouth, surrendering four runs on four hits, with two strikeouts.
McDonnell worked a career-high three frames for Monmouth, allowing two runs on three hits, while Sanguiliano tossed the final two innings for the Blue and White, allowing one run on one hit, and two walks.
MSM starter Brett Moore worked all seven innings, allowing three run on five hits, to improve his record to 2-6 on the season.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow, when the Hawks and Mount St. Mary's play the final game of this Northeast Conference series. First pitch is set for noon.
