WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Freshman Kyle Perry (Toms River, N.J./ Toms River South) delivered a two-run, two-out game-winning single in game one and tagged out the tying run at the plate in game two's victory as the Monmouth University baseball team completed a Northeast Conference sweep of Mount St. Mary's. In the opening game, a 5-4 win for the Blue and White, Chris Perret (Morris Catholic, N.J./Morris Plains) and Jon Guida (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) each contributed a pair of hits, while in game two, Danny Avella (Matawan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) connected on his team-leading sixth home run of the year and starter Dan Smith (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) allowed one run over eight innings with six strikeouts for his sixth win of the season.
Trailing by a run in game one, Monmouth (26-15, 15-5 NEC) rallied in the home half of the sixth, loading the bases with two-outs. Owen Stewart (Howell, N.J./St. Rose) and Guida both singled and, following a pitching change, Craig Sweeney (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South) worked a pinch-hit walk. Perry took an 0-2 pitch to center field, out of the reach of Ryan Owens, chasing in Stewart and Guida, for the game-winning hit. Neil Harm (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) hurled a no-hit ninth for his first of two saves on the afternoon.
The first two pitches of the game from Mount's starter Thomas Williams resulted in back-to-back singles for Ed Martin (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan [Brookdale CC]) and Jamie Rosenkranz (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township), landing the senior outfielders on third and first, respectively. With Jake Gronsky (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) at bat, Rosenkranz stole second and Mark Quaranta's throw sailed into center field allowing Martin to cross home and Rosenkranz to reach third. Gronsky then connected on a sacrifice fly, which scored Rosenkranz, and gave the Blue and White an early 2-0 lead.
The Mount answered in the top of the second inning on Jay Knight's sacrifice fly, and RBI singles from Michael Foster and Quaranta to go ahead, 3-2.
Monmouth knotted the score in the bottom of the fourth inning as Perret singled and moved to second on Stewart's sacrifice bunt. Guida followed with a RBI double to left center field to even the score at 3-3.
Nick Walker connected on a double off the wall in the sixth inning, scoring Knight who lead off the frame with a bunt single, to give the Mount its one run lead, 4-3, leading up to Perry's game-winner.
TJ Hunt (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) earned his first collegiate victory, working a perfect two-thirds of an inning out of the Hawks' bullpen. Stephen Frey (Washingtonville, N.J./Washingtonville), who started for the Blue and White, lasted two innings after surrendering three runs on six hits with a strikeout. Adam Yunginger (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) worked 3.1 innings of relief, yielding a run on five hits with a punch-out.
Thomas Williams suffered the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work.
Ahead, 2-1, with one out in the ninth inning, the Mount threatened to spoil the Hawks' sweep. With Harm on the hill, Andrew Clow singled to right and was pinch ran for by Zack Schramm. Sam Nott drove a double off the left center field wall that was corralled by Martin, who fired in to Guida, who relayed a strike to Perry at home where he applied the tag to keep the Hawks ahead by one. Harm got Brandon Scott to strike out swinging to secure the Hawks 2-1 victory and his fourth save of the season.
Avella broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning, hitting a two-run home run, over the right field wall, scoring Gronsky, who doubled with one out in the frame.
Winter's RBI single in the eighth inning brought the Mount within one, 2-1.
In defeat, Brady Fiegl worked six innings allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts for the Mount.
Monmouth continues its seven-game homestand as it welcomes Seton Hall to West Long Branch at 3:30 on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt.
