JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Despite receiving a multi-hit game from Ed Martin (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan [Brookdale]), Jamie Rosenkranz (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) and Tim Bickford (Wallingford, Conn./Mark T. Sheehan) and five strong innings from starter Jonathan Shippee (Waterford, N.J./Shenendehowa), the Monmouth University baseball team dropped a 6-3 decision at Saint Peter's in non-conference action, Tuesday afternoon at Jaroschak Field.
Rosenkranz doubled with one out in the first inning and moved to third on Jake Gronsky's (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) single. Danny Avella (Matawan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) reached on a throwing error which allowed Rosenkranz to score, Gronsky to move to third and the junior to reach second. After Gronsky was called out at home on a failed safety squeeze attempt, Chris Perret (Morris Plains, N.J./Morris Catholic) singled up the middle, chasing in Avella, and Bickford registered a base hit of his own, scoring Owen Stewart (Howell, N.J./St. Rose) to give the Blue and White an early 3-0 advantage.
Pat Farrell's RBI-single in the home half of the fourth cut the Hawks' lead to 3-1 and Saint Peter's capitalized in the seventh, putting five runs on the board via six hits, while taking advantage of two Monmouth errors, to secure the victory.
Shippee allowed one run on six hits without a walk while recording six strikeouts in a no decision. Adam Yunginger (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) hurled a one-hit inning with a punch-out, while Joe Loiodice (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) suffers his first loss of the season, surrendering four runs on four hits. Andrew McGee (Toms River, N.J./Toms River South) and Charlie Battis (Hamilton, N.J./Notre Dame) combined to work 1.2 innings out of the Hawks' bullpen.
Monmouth will return to West Long Branch this weekend as it entertains Temple in non-conference action. Friday's game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start, while Saturday's tilt is set to begin at 1 p.m. The Hawks and Owls will square off again on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.
