CARY, NC – Monmouth University Baseball (2-1) scored 12 runs in their final four turns at bat to win the second game of a doubleheader against Northeastern Saturday, earning a split in the pair of games. MU won the nightcap 12-5 after falling in the opener, 10-5.
 
With freshman Reed Interdonato making his first career start in the second game, MU trailed 2-0 with Interdonato fanning five in his four innings. MU got a run back in the fifth on Mason Wolf's first career RBI, a sacrifice fly, before jumping in front with a five-run sixth. MU scored on on two wild pitches and a bases loaded hit by pitch before Dixon Black's two-RBI double made it 6-2 Hawks. A Dakarjy two-run homer for the Huskies cut it to 6-4 but Chris Andrews' RBI single in the seventh preceded another five run eighth. Joey Ventresca had an RBI double in the inning, with the big blow coming on Alex Barker's first homer of the season, a two-run shot. Barker pitched the ninth, closing down the 12-5 win.
 
Jake Catalano's two-run double sparked MU to a 2-0 lead, and the edge grew to 4-0 in the opening game when the Hawks scored on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch. However, Northeastern scored four in the sixth to tie it, the bulk coming on a three-run home run from Thorbahn. The Huskies took a one-run lead in the seventh, but MU got even in the eighth on Brady Mutz's RBI double. Northeastern plated five in the ninth to win the opener, 10-5.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Always good to be able to bounce back and split after dropping the first game. We played hard and battled all day against a quality program and team. Klep threw well in the first game and then we were unable to protect the lead. Reed provided some much needed energy in his first career start in the second game, keeping the game within striking distance before we were able to create some scoring opportunities. Early in the second game our offense was searching and then we were able to create those opportunities as well as a couple of big at bats in the second half of the game, including some walks and timely hitting. Our bullpen was excellent; Hiltz settled in nicely in the middle of the game and Dimino held in the eighth. We were able to break it open late. Very good team effort." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt

Game One
 
-MU started the same lineup for the second straight game to open the season.
-Dan Klepchick started on opening weekend for the fifth straight season.
-Mason Fitzpatrick and Jake Fraher made their collegiate debuts out of the bullpen.
-Ryan Bearse pitched in a game for the first time since March 7, 2020.
-Robbie Holmes made his season debut off the bench.
-Joey Ventresca posted his third career multi-hit game.
-This marked MU's first-ever game against Northeastern, a future conference foe.

Game Two
 
-Alex Barker hit his first home run of the season after leading the team last year.
-Reed Interdonato made his first career start on the mound.
-Mason Wolf made his first career start and collected his first career RBI.
-Cory Hiltz picked up his first career victory.
-Michael Dimino made his first appearance of the year out of the bullpen.
-The Hawks posted two separate innings with five runs scored.
-MU picked up its first ever win over Northeastern.
-Black, Barker, Ventresca and Andrews opened the season with a hit in three straight games.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

Game One
 
-Monmouth was outhit 14-8.
-Dan Klepchick tossed four shutout innings with four K's and no walks.
-Dante CIaramella took the loss for MU.

Game Two
 
-Reed Interdonato worked four innings, allowing two runs with no walks and five K's.
-Cory Hiltz picked up the win with three innings in relief.
-MU was outhit 8-7 in the game.
-The Hawks scored in each of its final four turns at bat.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth concludes opening weekend in Cary, NC against LIU tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.