WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Ryan Bearse tagged out the potential tying run for the final out of the game, as Monmouth University Baseball (20-20, 9-6 MAAC) took the series deciding game from Rider Sunday, 6-5.
Brady Mutz drove in the tying and lead runs in the sixth, while
Joey Ventresca had three hits for MU.
After Brendan O'Donnell hit a solo home run for Rider in the third, MU answered in the bottom half. With the bases full,
James Harmstead got a run across with a fielder's choice, and two batters later with the bases filled again, Ventresca lined a double inside the left field line to clear them and put the Hawks up 4-1.
Rider scratched across two in the fifth before Luke Lesch delivered the big blow, a two-run double inside first to give Rider a 5-4 lead. Mutz responded in the bottom half, putting a two-out single through the right side to plate a pair and give Monmouth the lead back.
Ryan Bearse was stellar in relief, and with two down and a runner at second in the ninth, his 3-2 pitch got away. Pinch runner Richie Sica turned third and attempted to score the tying run, but Mutz got to it and threw to Bearse covering to apply the tag for the final out of the victory.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"A good series win in a competitive conference weekend. It was a great way to send out the seniors; so many of those guys have been through so much with the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Ryan Bearse had a great day for us, that was a gutsy performance. He got that huge strikeout to keep it a one-run game in the fifth and then was able to finish it out. Defensively we were solid.
Joey Ventresca had a big day at the plate and Mutz delivered when we needed. It was an ultra-competitive weekend and we found a lot out about ourselves." – Head Coach
Dean Ehehalt
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Ryan Bearse's 4.2 innings is the longest outing of his career.
-Bearse earned his second win of the season and first since April 2.
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Joey Ventresca's three-hit game was the third of his career, all this season, and he tied a career high with three RBI's.
-Monmouth has won three of five MAAC series this season.
-This marked MU's Senior Day, honoring 12 members of the senior class.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth had eight hits to Rider's nine.
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Ryan Bearse threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing three hits with two K's.
-Rider made the games lone error.
UP NEXT
-Monmouth is at Princeton Wednesday with a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.
