WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Junior left-hander Frank Trimarco (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) struck out seven batters for Monmouth, but it wasn't enough as Seton Hall starter Anthony Pacillo tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits. The Hawks fall to 12-18, while the Pirates improve to 19-15.
The only runs of the game came on Sal Annunziata's fourth inning home run to left. After D.J. Ruhlman walked leading off the inning, Annunziata took a 1-0 offering from Trimarco and sent it over the left field wall for a two-run homer.
Monmouth threatened previously in the third, getting back-to-back base hits through the left side from Cary Jacobson (Los Angeles, Calif./Palisades) and Robbie Alessandrine (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) with a balk sandwiched in between to put runners on the corners with one out. Pacillo was able to induce a 4-6-3 double play ball to Grant Lamberton (Newark, Del./Salesianum) to end the inning.
MU would put a runner on in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, even getting Steve Wilgus (Woolwich, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) to third in the sixth, but Pacillo did not allow a run to cross.
Pacillo finished with a complete game shutout, allowing three hits while fanning seven. Trimarco matched Pacillo's seven punch outs, throwing seven innings and giving up two runs on five hits. Jeff Paglione (Mantua, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) threw two scoreless relief innings, allowing just a hit and a walk.
The three and four spots had five of the six hits that the Pirates recorded on the day, with Ruhlman adding two hits, a walk and a run scored and Annunziata going 3-for-4 with the only RBI's of the afternoon. Mike Alescio added Seton Hall's other hit.
MU got scattered hits from Wilgus, Alessandrine and Jacobson on the day, with Jacobson also reaching on a hit by pitch. All told, there were nine total 1-2-3 innings between the teams.
Monmouth is back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon for a meeting with Lafayette. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. with the Leopards on ESPN3. For all info on Monmouth baseball, follow @MUHawksBaseball on Twitter.
