TEANECK, N.J. - The Monmouth University baseball team dropped the final game of a four-game Northeast Conference series at Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at Naimoli Complex. The Hawks (27-16, 18-6 NEC), who entered the contest on a nine-game NEC winning streak, were lead by sophomore starter Pat Light (Colts Neck, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) who struck out six batters in 7.0 innings of action.
Light allowed one run, a season-low, in his 10th start of the season and tied a season-high with his six strike outs in a no-decision.
Owen Stewart (Howell, N.J./St. Rose) was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a balk by FDU starter Mike Eliasen to start the third. After Cal Costanzo (Edison, N.J./Edison) was plunked by Eliasen, Jon Guida (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) sacrificed the runners over and Jamie Rosenkranz (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) grounded out, which plated Stewart to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
MU tacked on another run in the fourth on Jake Gronsky's (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) RBI single, scoring Pulsonetti who reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on Ed Martin's (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan [Brookdale CC]) ground out.
FDU got on the board in the home half of the fourth on DJ Robinson's solo home run to cut MU's lead to 2-1.
Chris Perret (Morris Plains, N.J./Morris Plains) connected on a double and Ryan Terry (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman) singled in pinch runner Josh Boyd (Port Murray, N.J./West Morris Central) to give the Hawks a two run lead, 3-1, in the eighth, yet FDU scored three runs on four hits in the home half of the inning to gain the 4-3 advantage.
Nick McNamara (Branchburg, N.J./Somerville) is credited with the loss allowing three runs on four hits out of the bullpen while Stephen Frey (Washingtonville, N.J./Washingtonville) retired the only batter he faced.
Monmouth will welcome in Long Island next weekend for a pivotal Northeast Conference series beginning Friday, May 6th.
