FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 3 (13-24, 7-11 CAA)
Stony Brook 0 (22-19, 10-8 CAA)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University baseball team scored three runs late to back a dominating performance from the pitching staff and secured a 3-0 win over Stony Brook University in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. 
 
The first five and a half innings of the game were dominated by the pitching performances from Monmouth starter Kevin Opanel and Stony Brook starter J.T. Raab. 
 
Opanel allowed just one runner to reach third base in that stretch as Stony Brook loaded the bases in the second but he got a fly out to escape damage. The Hawks had a runner reach third in the second and third innings but could not push one across against Robb.
 
Opanel was in control throughout as he retired the final 13 batters he faced, a stretch that went from the final out in the third through the seventh inning.
 
The Hawks finally broke through on the scoreboard in the sixth as Phil Stahl drew a one-out walk and scored as Chris Andrews stroked a double to center field. Andrews moved to third on a Seawolves error getting the ball back in and scored on Trey Porter's sac fly. 
 
After Tommy Kent pitched a scoreless top of the eighth, the Hawks tack on one more run, for a 3-0 advantage, in the bottom half of that frame. Austin Denlinger led off with a double and came around to score on Stahl's RBI single.
 
The Seawolves had their best chance since the second inning in the top of the ninth. Stony Brook loaded the bases on three walks with one out. However, Derek Benzinger entered the game for Monmouth and was able to induce a game-ending double play on the second pitch he threw.

NOTES & QUOTES
"It was a great day for the guys and a very good college baseball game. We played with a lot of grit and determination. We needed a big effort on the mound; Kevin Opanel was outstanding.   
 
Offensively we manufactured a few runs in the middle of the game; and another in the eighth.  
 
Derek Benzinger came in and closed it out with the double play ball. We played with poise, and it showed on the defensive side today.
 
This was a very good series win against a quality program."
         - Head coach Dean Ehehalt
          
- The Hawks picked up their third win all-time against Stony Brook and second straight.  
- Monmouth picked up its second CAA series win of the season (Towson/Stony Brook).
- The win was Monmouth's seventh CAA victory of the season. That surpasses last year's conference win total.
- Austin Denlinger's eighth inning double was his team-leading 14th of the season. It is the most doubles in a season by a Hawk since Jake Catalano had 16 in 2022.
- Casey Caufield and Phil Stahl each pushed their hit streaks to five straight games. 
- Kevin Opanel, Tommy Kent and Derek Benzinger combined to limit Stony Brook to just one hit and two runners that reached third in the game. The trio recorded Monmouth's second shutout of the season. Both have come in CAA play.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth finished with a 7-1 advantage in hits in the game.
- Kevin Opanel picked up his second win of the season as he went seven strong innings and allowed just the one hit while striking out two. 
- Derek Benzinger threw two pitches in the top of the ninth to pick up his team leading fourth save of the season. He is the first Hawk since Stephen Aldrich had four in 2022.
- J.T. Raab took the loss for Stony Brook. He gave up two runs on five hits in 6.1 innings of action. 
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth steps out of conference play to visit Lafayette on Wednesday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m.