FINAL SCORE
Rutgers 19 (23-13)
Monmouth 4 (9-21)
 
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – James Harmstead launched a first inning home run but a big fifth inning helped Rutgers University break open a close contest and defeat the Monmouth University baseball team, 19-4 on Tuesday afternoon. 
 
Harmstead drove the second pitch he saw over the left field fence in the top of the first. That gave Monmouth a 1-0 advantage with two outs in the frame. 
 
A two-run single from Cameron Love helped Rutgers take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second. 
 
The Scarlet Knights scored eight runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 11-1 lead in the game. 
 
Phil Stahl broke up the Rutgers scoring streak with an RBI single in the sixth. 
 
The home team tacked on eight runs over the next three innings. 
 
Monmouth got two runs back in the top of the ninth. Brendan Buecker reached on an infield single and scored on a wild pitch. Andrew Schmid plated a run with his single up the middle that made the final score, 19-4. 

NOTES
- It was the 44th meeting all-time between the two programs separated by just 37 miles. Rutgers leads the all-time series, 35-9 and has won eight straight.  
- James Harmstead's home run was his team-leading fourth of the season and 31st of his career. Harmstead moves into sole possession of third place on the career home runs list at Monmouth.
- Phil Stahl extended his on-base streak to 14 straight games with his RBI single.
- Andrew Schmid had his first multi-hit game of the season with a pair of base knocks. 
- Joey DeMucci has hit in three straight games. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Rutgers out hit the Hawks, 23-9.  
- Sonny Fauci earned the win in relief for Rutgers. He tossed two innings and allowed just one hit while striking out three.
- Nick Tamburro took the loss as he went 4.2 innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits with two strikeouts.  
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth is back in action on Wednesday, Apr. 17 when it hosts Villanova at 1 p.m.