WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Colin McCreary worked out a bases-loaded walk to score the winning run, as Monmouth University Baseball (11-13, 2-0 MAAC) took the series over Iona College (0-23, 0-5 MAAC) Saturday, 6-5.
Iona converted two in the third on a two-out single from Will Jennings, and added to their lead in the fifth when Nick Forney doubled home a pair. Monmouth began the comeback in the seventh, sparked when
Alex Barker lined an RBI single down the right field line.
Jay Bant drew a bases loaded walk before
Nick Campana came up with a huge hit off the bench, pulling a two-run double into the corner to tie the game.
Forney drove in another for Iona in the top of the ninth to give the Gaels a 5-4 lead, but MU drew five consecutive walks in the bottom half to score twice, capped by McCreary's free pass after fighting off four pitches with two strikes.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"It's always nice to get a win after falling behind early. We kept battling and made the most of our opportunities. It was important to not self-destruct after hitting some balls hard early in the game; we thought we would have a chance later if we kept the game at 4-0. No bigger at bat than Campana, he has been capitalizing on his opportunities and he came up big today. Obviously, Bearse coming to get the two strikeouts in the eighth gave us a much needed boost. Some real good AB's in the ninth created opportunities and pressure in which we were able to take advantage of some walks. McCreary battled his tail off and stayed alive in a nine pitch at bat, a great veteran presence." – Head Coach
Dean Ehehalt
-Monmouth won its second game via walk-off this season.
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Ryan Bearse picked up his first career win.
-The Hawks clinched a series win over Iona, taking the first two games.
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Dan Klepchick moved to fourth in program history with his 211
th career strikeout, passing Andrew McGee.
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Nick Campana picked up his third pinch hit of the season, all which have resulted in RBI's.
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Mason Wolf picked up his first career hit at home.
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Casey Caufield extended his reached base streak to 20 games.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth pitching struck out 11 batters.
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Dan Klepchick went five, allowing three earned runs with six K's and no walks.
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Ryan Bearse did not allow an earned run in his 1.2 innings, getting the win.
UP NEXT
-The teams will wrap up the series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
