CARY, NC – Monmouth got six effective innings from fifth-year starter
Ricky Dennis (Warrington, PA/Central Bucks South), who allowed just a run on three hits while striking out five as the Hawks dropped the weekend opener to #23 St. John's, 3-0 in Cary, NC. MU has opened the season with four ranked opponents, and dropped three of the games by three runs or less.
John Valente got the scoring started in the third for SJU when he tripled and came home on Jamie Galazin's sacrifice fly. Monmouth put two runners aboard in both the fifth and sixth, including at second and third in the sixth after
Kyle Norman (Ellicott City, MD/Good Counsel) doubled, but could not push one across.
Mike Antico singled leading off the seventh for SJU, and eventually ended up at third before Valente singled him in to extend the lead. MU put another two aboard in the eighth but came up short, and the Red Storm tacked on an eighth inning run on Josh Shaw's RBI double to take the 3-0 lead, the eventual final.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We just ran into a buzz saw today. St. John's is a quality team with a veteran presence. We continue to play hard and I know it will pay dividends moving forward.
Ricky Dennis made some real big pitches that enabled us to have a chance." –
Dean Ehehalt
-Monmouth has opened the season against four straight ranked opponents, and been within three runs in three of the four games.
-Freshman
John Martin has now pitched out of the bullpen in three of four games and has yet to allow an earned run.
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Danny Long has a hit in every game this season.
-Long posted his second multi-hit game of the season.
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Justin Trochiano posted his first multi-hit game of the year.
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Kyle Norman posted his first two-hit game as a Hawk.
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Shaine Hughes went hitless for the first time this season.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth was outhit just 9-8 by the Red Storm.
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Ricky Dennis took the loss to fall to 0-2 despite tossing six innings with five strikeouts, allowing a run on three hits.
-SJU had four players with multiple hits.
-Sean Mooney earned the win to move to 2-0 on the year, while Joe LaSorsa picked up his third save.
UP NEXT
-Monmouth takes on Big Ten member Penn State tomorrow in Cary, NC at 12:00 p.m.
