JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Despite taking a one-run lead in the sixth inning, the Monmouth University baseball team dropped a non-conference contest to Saint Peter's, 8-5, Tuesday afternoon at Jaroschak Field. The Hawks (9-11, 5-3 NEC) were led offensively by freshman Jake Gronsky (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) who drove in a career-high three runs while junior starter John McDonald (Langhorne, Pa./Conwell Egan Catholic) struck out five in 6.1 innings of work, both career-best marks, in a no-decision.
The Peacocks took a commanding 4-0 lead in the second inning on Matt Speckman's RBI single, Myron Enos' sacrifice fly, and Mike Scicutella's two-run single up the middle.
The Hawks chipped away at the lead in the fourth as Cal Costanzo (Edison, N.J./Edison) singled with two outs and advanced to second when Owen Stewart (Howell, N.J./St. Rose) was hit by a pitch from SPC's starter Eric Mozeika. Gronsky followed with a base-hit up the middle, chasing home Costanzo, and cutting the Peacock's lead to 4-1.
The Blue and White tacked on three in the fifth as Josh Boyd (Port Murray, N.J./West Morris Central) earned a free pass and moved to second on single by Ryan Terry (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman). After Jeremy Ives replaced Mozeika, the reliever intentionally walked Nick Pulsonetti (Old Tappan, N.J./North Valley Regional) and later walked Stewart, scoring a run, bringing the Hawks within two. Gronsky connected for a single to right-center field, scoring Pulsonetti and Terry, knotting the game at 4-4.
MU took a lead an inning later, when freshman Jon Guida (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) lead off with a double down the left field line. Two batters later, Terry grounded out to the first baseman, Mike Pearson, who booted the ball allowing Guida to score, giving the Hawks its only lead of the afternoon, 5-4.
Saint Peter's rallied for four runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh as Ariel Ramirez doubled, scoring Matt Mancini who reached on a error. Preston Aldridge followed with an RBI single before Brian Schroeder connected on two RBI double, giving SPC an 8-5 lead.
Nick McNamara (Branchburg, N.J./Somerville) (0-2) is credited with the loss out of the bullpen, allowing two runs on three hits, while sophomore Joe Loiodice (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) pitched 1.1 innings of perfect baseball in relief.
Kevin Croucher earns the victory pitching 4.0 innings allowing one unearned run on three hits in a relief effort.
Monmouth opens up a five-game home stand, tomorrow, March 30th, as hosts Columbia at 3:30 before welcoming in Central Connecticut State for a four-game Northeast Conference series this weekend.
