FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 8 (10-21)
Villanova 4 (12-22)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – James Harmstead and Austin Denlinger hit two-run home runs to power the Monmouth University baseball team to an 8-4 win over Villanova University on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Hawks wasted little time getting on the board in this one as Casey Caufield led off the bottom of the first with a walk. James Harmstead then deposited the first pitch he saw over the fence in left center for a 2-0 advantage. 
 
Monmouth added to its lead in the second as Trey Porter and Chris Walsh led off the inning with back-to-back walks. On a double steal, the throw got away from the Villanova catcher and Porter scored on the play. With runners on first and third, Andrew Schmid executed a perfect sac bunt and Walsh came home on the play. 
 
Villanova scored one in the third and two in the fourth and cut the Monmouth lead to 4-3. 
 
The Hawks added to their lead in the fifth with two outs. James Harmstead stole second and on the throw to third to check Caufield, the ball went into the outfield allowing him to score. 
 
Austin Denlinger extended the Monmouth advantage to 7-3 in the seventh. He tucked a fly ball just inside the foul pole in left field for a two-run home run. 
 
The two teams traded runs in the eighth as Monmouth got an RBI single from Brendan Buecker. Monmouth claimed an 8-4 win after a scoreless ninth.

NOTES & QUOTES
"The guys played well today. We got six good innings from Caden Carlin and Jimmy Wigo, made the plays on defense and created enough opportunities offensively to score in multiple innings. It was the first career start for Caden, he did a nice job. Always good when James Harmstead and Austin Denlinger chip in with home runs. Defensively we made the plays when we needed to."
          Head coach Dean Ehehalt
          
- The Hawks move to 5-4 all-time against Villanova and have won four straight against the Wildcats.  
- James Harmstead's home run was his team-leading fifth of the season and 32nd of his career. Harmstead needs two more home runs to move into a tie for second on the career home runs list at Monmouth.
- The Hawks' top three hitters in the lineup (Casey Caufield, James Harmstead and Austin Denlinger) combined for five runs scored and four RBIs.
- Chris Andrews extended his on base streak to eight straight games with a walk. 
- Austin Denlinger's home run was his second of the season.
- Trey Porter, Brendan Buecker and James Harmstead all extended their hit streaks to two straight games.  

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Villanova out hit the Hawks, 9-6 in the game. 
- The Hawks were added by six walks in the game.  
- Caden Carlin made his first career start for Monmouth and went three innings and allowed one run on two hits while striking out two.
- Jimmy Wigo picked up his first win while going three innings and surrendered two runs on three hits.
- CJ Furey took the loss for Villanova after giving up four runs on one hit in two innings.  
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth is back in action on Friday, Apr. 19 when it begins a three-game set at Elon at 6 p.m.