WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Behind a stellar performance from freshman RHP Tyler Ksiazek (South Abington Township, PA/Abington Heights), the Monmouth baseball team (12-12) put up a season-best 12 runs to beat in-state rival Rutgers (9-15) 12-2 at the MU Baseball Field Wednesday.
"Tyler Ksiazek was very good today in his second career start," said head coach Dean Ehehalt. "He competed really well and I think the guys on our team really believe in him."
MU hung six runs on the board in the third to jump to the lead, using six walks and a hit by pitch from the Rutgers pitching staff in addition to two hits. Grant Lamberton (Newark, DE/Salesianum) walked with one away to start the rally, and after a fielder's choice and two walks, Chris Gaetano (Madison Township, PA/Scranton Preparatory) hit one into the hole at shortstop to score the first run. With Christian Holland (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) batting, the ball popped out of the catcher's mitt for a run-scoring passed ball, and Holland walked to fill the bases two pitches later. Freshman Clay Koniencki (Schwenksville, PA/Malvern Prep) walked on a 3-2 pitch to force in a third run, and Robbie Alessandrine (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) lined the next pitch to center to bring around two more and make it 5-0. The inning was capped off by Lamberton being hit by a pitch with the bases full to plate the sixth run.
The Hawks widened the lead to 9-0 in the fourth when Dan Shea (Wilmington, DE/Salesianum) walked and Pete Papcun (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) was hit by a pitch. With Holland up, they took off on a double steal and the throw to second caromed into center field, allowing Shea to score. Holland followed with a single to center to bring in Papcun, and moved to third after a wild pitch and throwing error by the catcher. Koniencki drove him in by sneaking a single past the third baseman to make it 9-0.
MU put runners at first and second with one down in the fifth when Gaetano hit one off the base of the wall in right center to score both and make it 11-0. Holland followed with a single to center to score Gaetano and make it 12-0 Monmouth.
RU added runs in the sixth and eighth, getting on the board on Mike Carter's RBI double down the left field line. Tom Marcynczyk walked, stole second and scored on Milo Freeman's single to center to plate the second and final Scarlet Knight run.
Ksiazek earned his second career win, tossing seven innings and giving up a run on seven hits with five strikeouts. Joe Molettiere (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) fired the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits. Dante Scafidi took the loss for RU, allowing six runs on four hits in 2.2 innings while walking six.
Five Hawks scored two or more runs, with Gaetano totaling three hits and three RBI's on the day. Holland had two hits and two runs driven in, while Koniencki and Alessandrine knocked in two runs apiece.
Monmouth is back in action this Saturday for a conference doubleheader at Manhattan, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
