JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Monmouth University Baseball team (19-9, 19-9 MAAC) scored 18 runs in both ends of a doubleheader Sunday, sweeping a pair at Saint Peter's University (3-18, 3-18 MAAC). MU won the opener 18-5 before posting a shutout to win 18-0 in the final game of the weekend.
 
MU jumped to a 4-0 lead in the opening inning behind three hits, including a two-run double from James Harmstead (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) and added single runs in the next two innings, scoring in the third on a Dixon Black (Archbald, PA/Valley View) solo homer. Monmouth busted it open in the fourth, scoring 11 runs on seven hits in the frame. Jalen Jenkins (Waxhaw, NC/Cuthbertson/Brunswick CC) had a three-run triple in the inning, and Harry Padden (Pittsgrove, NJ/AP Schalick) lifted his first career homer, a three-run shot. Through all this, Alex Barker (Newark, DE/Caravel Academy) retired the first eight and ultimately threw four one-hit innings with six strikeouts. SPU scored five late runs to set the final score at 18-5.
 
The Hawks opened with four runs in the first two innings, getting an RBI single from Harmstead before Brady Mutz (Swarthmore, PA/Strath Haven) and Jenkins added RBI hits in the second. The Blue and White extended their lead, scoring four times between the fourth and sixth to lead 8-0 ahead of another monstrous inning in the eighth. The Hawks scored 10 times and added nine hits, with Jake Catalano (Southampton, NJ/St. Augustine Prep/RCGC) notching a two-run double and Joey Ventresca (Little Egg Harbor, NJ/Pinelands Regional) coming off the bench to hit a two-run homer. Rob Hensey (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) was dominant again, tossing six shutout, three-hit innings with no walks and 10 strikeouts.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"A solid day from the team. We came out right from the first pitch and played solid baseball, we wanted to score early in both games and did so. Barker and Hensey were once again solid. Our lineup showed a lot of life today as we got contributions from many. Looking forward to next weekend, especially to honor the seniors." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt
 
-Monmouth posted its eighth shutout of the season.
-Harry Padden's home run was the first of his career.
-Dixon Black and Joey Ventresca each added their second career home runs.
-Rob Hensey lowered his season ERA to 0.85.
-Hensey fanned 10, his second double-digit strikeout game of the year.
-MU pitching struck out 22 batters on the day compared to just four walks.
-Alex Barker extended his reached base streak to seven.
-The 18 runs are the most since scoring 27 at Saint Peter's on March 30, 2019.
-The 22 hits are the most since recording 24 at SPU on that same date.
-Jalen Jenkins' five hits are the most since Shaine Hughes had five against Manhattan on April 28, 2018.
-Jenkins four RBI's are tied for the most in a game by a Hawk this season.
-The Hawks hit two home runs in a game for the third time this season.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outhit SPU 15-5 in Game One.
-Alex Barker tossed four one-hit shutout innings with six K's to earn the opening game win.
-Stephen Aldrich tossed a scoreless bullpen inning with two strikeouts.
-Nine Hawks recorded a hit in the first game.
-MU outhit Saint Peter's 22-5 in the second game.
-SPU made five errors on the day to MU's two.
-Rob Hensey earned the win with six shutout innings.
-Dante Ciaramella threw two shutout innings with three K's.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth concludes the regular season next weekend, hosting Canisius beginning with a Saturday doubleheader at noon.