HAWKS TAKE GAME ONE IN PIVOTAL SERIES WITH LIU

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Behind starter Nick Meyers' (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) first career complete-game, the Monmouth University baseball team defeated Long Island, 6-1, in its Northeast Conference series opener Friday afternoon. The Hawks, who move into sole possession of first place, improve to 28-16 and 19-6 in league while the Blackbirds fall to 27-16 and 18-6 in conference action.

Meyers threw his first career complete game, allowing one run without yielding a walk while striking out six to earn his career-high seventh win this season.

Monmouth jumped on Long Island in the first inning on Jake Gronsky's (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) fielder's choice, scoring Jamie Rosenkranz (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) who walked on four straight pitches to lead off.

The Blue and White added another run in the second as Cal Costanzo (Edison, N.J./Edison) took the second pitch to the left-center field gap for the a stand-up double and moved to third on Jon Guida's (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) sacrifice bunt. Josh Boyd (Port Murray, N.J./West Morris Catholic) followed with an RBI-double down the right field line, plating Costanzo, to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.

MU starter Nick Meyers (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) found himself in a jam in the fifth as the Blackbirds loaded the bases with one out but the southpaw got Drew Walsh to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat unscathed.

Monmouth tacked on another run in the seventh as Boyd reached on a fielding error and moved to second on Rosenkranz's sacrifice bunt. Ed Martin (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan [Brookdale CC]) followed with a single through the left side, chasing in Boyd to give MU a 4-0 advantage.

LIU tallied a run in the eighth on a RBI single on Drew Walsh's RBI single up the middle, cutting the Hawks' lead to three, 4-1, yet Monmouth responded in the home half of the inning as Owen Stewart (Howell, N.J./St. Rose) was plunked by LIU starter Chris Franzeese, moved to second on Costanzo's single and both runner advanced on a wild pitch. After Guida earned a walk, Boyd singled through the right side, scoring Stewart and Costanzo, giving the Blue and White a 6-1 lead.

Costanzo lead the offensive attacked for the Hawks connecting on three hits, two for extra-bases and Boyd drove in three runs on his two hits.

Franzese threw 8.0 innings allowing six runs on eight hits while walking four to pick up his third loss of the season.

Monmouth and Long Island continue its four-game Northeast Conference series tomorrow, Saturday, May 7th, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Fan Appreciation Day presented by ShopRite.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Nick Meyers: LHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#33 Cal Costanzo: C; 5' 11"; Freshman

#4 Josh Boyd: OF; 6' 1"; Freshman

#24 Jamie Rosenkranz: IF; 5' 10"; Freshman

#21 Owen Stewart: IF; 6' 0"; Freshman

#29 Jake Gronsky: IF; 6' 1"; Freshman

#10 Jon Guida: IF; 6' 0"; Freshman

#2 Ed Martin: OF; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#12 Nick Meyers
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: LHP

#33 Cal Costanzo
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: C

#4 Josh Boyd
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OF

#24 Jamie Rosenkranz
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: IF

#21 Owen Stewart
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: IF

#29 Jake Gronsky
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: IF

#10 Jon Guida
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: IF

#2 Ed Martin
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OF