WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Rob Hensey fired seven strong innings, and Dixon Black and Alex Barker combined to drive in all five runs as Monmouth University Baseball (15-14, 6-0 MAAC) completed its second straight MAAC sweep, topping Niagara University (2-24, 0-6 MAAC) 5-1.
 
Hensey's lone run allowed was an unearned run in the second on a ground out, as he worked seven innings and allowed just four hits and walked none. Black tied the game with a seeing-eye single back up the middle in the fourth, and gave MU the lead with a double that eluded the left fielder in the sixth. That double scored two to make it 3-1 Hawks, and after Stephen Aldrich stranded the tying runs in the eighth, Barker came through with a lined two-run single to extend the lead to 5-1.
 
Niagara would load the bases in the ninth and get the tying run to the plate, but Aldrich struck out Brady Desjardins to end the game and secure Monmouth's second consecutive sweep.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"A nice way to finish the weekend. We battled all day, played good defense and a few balls found holes. Hensey gave us another good start and Aldrich was able to close it out.  We had some good AB's to create scoring opportunities; Dixon found a few holes and we cashed in on five two-out runs." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt
 
-All five of Monmouth's runs were scored with two out.
-This marked the third straight outing that Rob Hensey did not allow an earned run, with that streak currently at 23 innings.
-This marks Monmouth's first ever 6-0 start in the MAAC, and first in conference play since 2008 as a member of the NEC.
-Monmouth is now 7-0 at home this season.
-Casey Caufield's late double extended his reached base streak to 25 games.
-This marked the fourth game this season Dixon Black drove in three or more runs.
-Stephen Aldrich earned his second save of the year.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Hensey threw seven innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out eight with four hits and no walks surrendered.
-Aldrich threw two shutout innings to collect his second save.
-Each team had seven hits in the game.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Seton Hall Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN3.