WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ– The Monmouth pitching staff allowed just three runs on the day as the Hawks completed a doubleheader sweep of Rider, winning 6-0 in the opener and 5-3 in the nightcap. MU sweeps all three games in the series from their in-state rival to improve to 11-11 overall and 3-0 in conference while Rider drops to 3-17 and 0-3 in league.
"The story of the day was solid pitching and timely hitting," said head coach Dean Ehehalt. "Our infield defense also really helped us out in some big spots."
Ricky Dennis (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South) was stellar in the opener, tossing a complete game four-hit shutout to earn his third win of the year. MU got on the board via a Cary Jacobson (Los Angeles, CA/Palisades) RBI single through the left side in the first, and tacked on when Chris Gaetano (Madison Township, PA/Scranton Preparatory) laced a single to left that scored Pete Papcun (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy).
The Hawks posted three in the fifth, with Justin Trochiano (Morganville, NJ/Marlboro) coming home on a wild pitch before Shaine Hughes (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) took the next offering into right to score two more and make it 5-0. Hughes singled home another run in the sixth and the Hawks took the opener 6-0.
Jacobson continued his solid afternoon in the second game, driving home a pair with a shot through the left side in the third. Freshman Clay Koniencki (Schwenksville, PA/Malvern Prep) capped the four-run inning with a single to left that plated two more and staked the Blue and White to a 4-0 lead.
The Broncs answered right back, with Tyler Kaiser sneaking an RBI double inside the first base bag in the top of the fourth. Christian Estevez brought home another run with a single just past Trochiano, and Patrick Murphy added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3.
The Hawks would not allow another run, and Papcun added insurance when he homered over the left field wall leading off the fifth to make it 5-3, the eventual final.
Dennis earned the opening game win with a complete game four-hit shutout, fanning five and walking one. Hughes was 3-for-4 in Game One with three runs batted in, while Ryan Bailey (Mount Kisco, NY/Fox Lane) and Gaetano had two hits apiece.
Anthony Ciavarella (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) was strong in the second game, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings to get the win with seven strikeouts. Freshman Joe Molettiere (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) locked it down with two shutout innings to grab his third save.
The Hawks sweep Rider and move to 3-0 in conference for the first time since 2014. MU allowed Rider to score seven total runs in the series, only giving up runs in two separate innings all weekend.
MU is back in action at Rutgers Tuesday before the Scarlet Knights repay the visit to West Long Branch on Wednesday. The latter is scheduled to air on ESPN3.
