WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University junior Ryan Buch needed only seven innings to match his season-high, single-game strikeout mark as Monmouth opened NEC play against Long Island this weekend, winning 3-of-4 in the series.

The right-hander fanned nine Blackbirds on the way to his first complete-game victory this season, on Saturday afternoon, allowing just a lone unearned, first inning run, in the Hawks' 8-1 triumph. Facing an LIU lineup that entered the series hitting over .300, Buch allowed only four hits and no earned runs, and held the opposition to a .154 batting average.

Buch, who now has 18 career wins, is tied for fourth all-time in Monmouth history with Joe Aragona. The righty, who has 37 strikeouts in 31.1 innings this season, now has 179 punchouts in his career, which moves him into fifth place all-time, 26 away from passing Aragona and Dan Severino in the No. 4 spot.

Monmouth returns to action on Wednesday, when the Hawks travel to Lafayette, for a non-conference game at 3:30 p.m. Senior Nick Meyers (1-0) is set to take the ball for the Blue and White.