WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ –
Stephen Aldrich (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) picked up his first career win as Monmouth University Baseball (17-23-1) earned a 3-1 victory on Wednesday over NJIT (12-21-1).
Colin McCreary (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) added two hits and two RBI's for the Blue and White.
Aldrich battled through third-inning trouble and only allowed two hits through five as MU jumped in front in the last of the fifth.
Robbie Holmes (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards) singled and went to second on a wild pitch, and a pair of walks filled the bases with two away for McCreary, who served a single into left center to plate the first two runs of the game. MU added on with a Holmes sac fly in the sixth deep to the wall in right, allowing
JP Walsh (Spring Brook Township, PA/North Pocono) to tag and score from second.
NJIT added their only run in the seventh and put two on in the ninth, but
Ryan Steckline (Newark, DE/Appoquinimink) came on to get the final out and earn his third save of the season.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We grinded this one out. It was Aldrich's first start this year and we're real happy for him, he pounded the zone and made some pitches when we needed and we think he has a real bright future for us on the mound.
Evan Ferris is coming into his own and that's several good outings in a row for him. We were confident that tandem would get us pretty far in the game and they limited them to one run." – Head Coach
Dean Ehehalt
-Aldrich earned his first career win in his first start.
-It marked the second straight day a Hawk freshman picked up their first career win (Houghton at Villanova).
-
Evan Ferris has allowed one run or fewer in all seven of his outings this season.
-
Ryan Steckline tied for the team lead with his third save.
-
Colin McCreary collected multiple hits for the third time in four games.
-
Sean McHugh has hits in his last three starts.
-MU is now 9-0 all time against NJIT, meeting the Highlanders for the first time since 2009.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Each team had six hits.
-Aldrich earned the win with 5.1 shutout innings and four strikeouts.
-Hunter Harris took the loss, allowing two runs in the fifth.
-Paul Franzoni had three hits for NJIT.
-MU limited NJIT to 1-12 with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Manhattan in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.
