NEWARK, DE – Monmouth battled back and got strong pitching on the afternoon, but ultimately dropped a pitcher's duel to Delaware Saturday, 2-1. Joe Molettiere (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) gave up just one hit through five and Kyle Norman (Ellicott City, MD/Good Counsel) had two hits for the Blue and White, but Erik Bowren's seventh inning RBI single for UD proved to be the difference.

Nick Patten doubled in the second for UD, and went to third after a walk and a hit by pitch. He scored on Matt Rycakzewski's fielder's choice, the only run scored in the game for the first six innings. Molettiere ultimately struck out four and did not allow another run through his five innings.

Monmouth rallied to tie in the seventh, with Norman notching MU's first hit of the game and moving to second on a wild pitch. An intentional walk and an infield single loaded the bases for Ryan Steckline (Newark, DE/Appoquinimink), who drew a walk to force in the tying run.

Kevin Mohollen walked, stole second and went to third on an errant throw leading off the seventh. He scored the eventual winning run on Bowren's RBI single to make it 2-1 Blue Hens. The Hawks put runners at second and third in the ninth but couldn't plate the equalizer, falling to UD 2-1.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"Tough one today.  I am proud of how our team battled and responded throughout the game. Joe and Kyle held a good ball club to two runs and we look forward to getting that quality pitching moving forward." – Dean Ehehalt

"The Delaware starter, Hinton was really on early; he had three pitches working and our guys scratched their way back to tie the game.  We had a few opportunities to win and just were unable to get that big hit.  I truly believe we have a lot of good baseball to play moving forward and excited to see how we bounce back tomorrow." – Ehehalt

-Kyle Norman reached base for his 11^th consecutive game this season.
-Ryan Steckline extended his team-high seven-game hitting streak.
-Norman posted his fourth multi-hit game of the season.
-The two hits allowed are the least for MU since allowing two hits at Quinnipiac on April 29, 2016.
-Kyle Ajjan dropped his ERA to 1.64, second lowest among Hawks that have thrown at least 10 innings.
-The Hawks and Blue Hens split the first two games of the weekend series.
-Colman Vila earned the win out of the bullpen for Delaware, while James Meeker collected his first save.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Joe Molettiere allowed just one hit in his five innings, giving up a run and striking out four.
-Kyle Ajjan allowed just one hit in three innings, taking the loss after giving up just an unearned run.
-Monmouth outhit Delaware 4-2.
-MU pitching limited UD to 1-for-16 with runners on base.
-Delaware struck out 13 Hawks on the day.
-Kyle Hinton picked up a no decision, striking out nine for Delaware.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth and Delaware conclude the weekend series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Newark, DE.