WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Baseball got strong pitching from five different players and capitalized on several offensive opportunities, topping Fairleigh Dickinson Wednesday 9-2. Tommy Kent struck out five out of the bullpen, while Eric Sabato had two doubles and drove in a pair.
 
Monmouth used 12 walks and four hit by pitches on the afternoon to string together eight runs, including scoring twice in the opening inning without a hit. MU added a run on a sac fly from Phil Stahl in the second and two more in the third via a wild pitch and another sac fly, this one from Austin Denlinger to make it 5-0.
 
Monmouth extended the lead to 8-0 in the fourth, scoring on a bases loaded walk before Eric Sabato lined a two-run double to left center. Tommy Kent worked three scoreless innings, striking out five before Jake Fraher delivered a perfect eighth. With two down in the ninth, FDU broke up the shutout when Anthony Chiappetta drove in two with a base hit the other way.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Real good team win today.  We capitalized on some opportunities offensively, played good D and got solid pitching.  Although we haven't played in over a week, our AB's were solid and we ran the bases hard today. Our ability to score early and score in multiple innings gave us a cushion and we were able to play with the lead. Horvath and Tommy gave us six solid innings, it was nice to see those guys perform today. All of our guys competed well today." – Head Coach Dean Ehehalt
 
-Drew Helmstetter earned his first win as a Hawk.
-Tommy Kent struck out a career-high five batters.
-Kent now has four or more strikeouts in four consecutive outings.
-Eric Sabato had two doubles, his third game this season with multiple extra base hits.
-MU picks up its 59^th win ever over Fairleigh Dickinson, third most wins against an opponent in program history.
-The game marked Monmouth's first since April 23, a 10-day layoff, the longest of the season due to inclement weather.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
 
-Monmouth outhit FDU 9-5.
-The Hawks drew 12 walks and were hit by four pitches in the game.
-MU had four pitchers toss scoreless outings, including three innings each from Kent and David Horvath.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Hofstra in CAA play, opening a weekend series Friday at 3:00 p.m.