CARY, NC – Monmouth University Baseball (0-2) dropped the second game of the 2019 season to Penn State University (2-0) on Saturday afternoon in Cary, NC, 7-0. Freshman Rob Hensey (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) threw 2.2 shutout innings of relief, striking out three while PSU's Conlin Hughes drove in two and doubled.

All of the games runs were scored in the first two innings, with Penn State putting up five in the opening frame. A walk and an error preceded a sac bunt to set up second and third with one away, allowing Parker Hendershot to single home the first two of the afternoon. Three more RBI singles followed, including one from Hughes to make it 5-0 Nittany Lions. 

PSU tacked on a run on a double play in the second before Hughes doubled down the line in left to score a second, capping the scoring on the day. Max Goione (Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven/Siena) tripled with one out in the third but was stranded at third, and the Hawks put a runner on base in four more innings but couldn't get one across.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"Tip of the hat to Tyler Ksiazek and Rob Hensey for their excellent efforts out of the pen today. It was nice to see Hensey enter the game and execute, he has a bright future. Offensively we are certainly not where we need to be, however it will get better. Guys need to stay positive and keep playing. Tomorrow is another opportunity to get one." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt

-Max Goione collected Monmouth's first extra base hit of the season, a third inning triple, and is the only Hawk to hit in each game this year.
-it marked the first triple and fourth extra base hit of Goione's collegiate career.
-Rob Hensey made his collegiate debut for Monmouth, allowing just one hit in 2.2 shutout innings.
-The Monmouth bullpen of Tyler Ksiazek and Rob Hensey did not allow a run after the second inning.
-Zach Schild made his fifth career start at designated hitter.
-JP Walsh picked up his first hit of the 2019 season.
-Robbie Holmes also made his collegiate debut with a ninth-inning at bat.
-Brandon Taylor started his first career contest, as did fellow sophomore Colin McCreary. 
-MU and Penn State have now split six all-time meetings.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Tyler Ksiazek struck out four in 4.2 relief innings, allowing two runs on three hits.
-James Kelly was checked with the loss in his first start of the season, allowing five runs, three of them earned.
-MU was outhit 8-2.
-PSU left eight runners on base to Monmouth's six.
-Bailey Dees earned the win for Penn State, tossing six scoreless innings.
-Tyler Shingledecker threw three hitless innings to pick up the save.


UP NEXT
-Monmouth and Penn State conclude the season-opening series tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. in Cary, NC.