CARY, NC – Monmouth University Baseball (0-3) brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning after battling back, but couldn't get the equalizer as Big Ten member Penn State University (3-0) swept the weekend series in Cary, NC, winning Sunday by a 6-4 count. Zach Schild (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) had two hits and an RBI for MU.

Penn State jumped to a 3-0 lead, with Parker Hendershot singling home a first-inning run before a pair of two-out singles in the third gave the Nittany Lions the three-run cushion. MU got one back without a hit in the fourth, as JD Andreessen (Depew, NY/Lancaster/Campbell) worked his way around the bases, reaching on a wild pitch after striking out. A steal and another two wild pitches got him across for MU's first run.

Curtis Robison homered leading off the fourth for PSU to give them back a three-run lead, and Conlin Hughes singled one across in the fifth before a sacrifice fly made it 6-1 after six. The Hawks threatened in the seventh, with Schild leading off with his second hit of the game. A walk and a hit by pitch filled the bases before Monmouth got a second run via a wild pitch. MU left a pair aboard in the frame, trailing 6-2.

The Hawks got closer in the eighth, scoring on Schild's RBI ground out to cut the deficit in half. Jordan McCrum (Dallas, PA/Dallas Senior) struck out a pair in the eighth making his season debut before MU threatened in the ninth. Danny Long (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) doubled leading off, and eventually scored on a passed ball. Following an error, Clay Koniencki (Schwenksville, PA/Malvern Prep) represented the tying run but PSU reliever Mason Mellott got him to ground out, ending the series finale.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"We showed some fight today which was a good sign. Mason Miller threw the ball exceptionally well today. As a team we can take a lot out of this weekend." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt

-Zach Schild became the first Hawk with a multi-hit game this season.
-Freshman Robbie Holmes made his first career start, playing 1^st base.
-MU got effective relief from a freshman making their collegiate debut for the second day in a row, as Mason Miller fired 1.1 scoreless frames.
-Clay Koniencki was aboard three times, drawing three free passes.
-Danny Long notched his first hit of the season, a ninth inning double.
-Penn State now leads the all-time series, 4-3.
-Sean McHugh made his MU debut with a pinch hitting appearance.
-Nick Houghton also tossed 2.2 innings in his collegiate debut, allowing two earned runs and striking out one.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-MU was outhit 11-3.
-PSU left nine runners aboard in comparison to Monmouth's seven.
-There was a run scored in every inning other than the second.
-Eric Mock earned the win, allowing a run on a hit with nine strikeouts in six innings.
-Mellott earned the two inning save, not allowing an earned run.
-Ryan Steckline took the loss for MU in his season debut on the mound, surrendering three runs on four hits through three.
-Four Nittany Lions had multiple hits.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth opens a three-game series at East Carolina next weekend, with first pitch set for Friday at 4:00 p.m.