FINAL SCORE
Game One
Monmouth 8 (17-25, 10-12 CAA)
Campbell 7 (27-21, 8-14 CAA)
 
Game Two
Campbell 5 (28-21, 9-14 CAA)
Monmouth 2 (17-26, 10-13 CAA)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – A thrilling ninth inning walk-off comeback win in game -one allowed the Monmouth University baseball team to earn a doubleheader split with Campbell University in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) action on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Hawks earned the 8-7 win in game-one before the Camels battled for a 5-2 win in game-two.
 
Game One Recap:
Campbell jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the second inning. Monmouth got one back in the bottom half of that frame. The Hawks loaded the bases on three walks before James Harmstead was hit by a pitch to force in a run, which made it a 3-1 game.
 
Campbell extended its lead to 5-1 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. The Hawks once again got one back in the bottom half of the frame. Phil Stahl ripped a double and scored on a wild pitch. 
 
Harmstead pulled the Hawks to within one with a two-run home run down the left field line in the bottom of the seventh. Two-batters later, Austin Denlinger launched a two-run home run to left and Monmouth had a 6-5 lead. 
 
Campbell scored two in the top of the ninth to take a 7-6 edge.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Casey Caufield led off with a single and Harmstead was hit by a pitch. Harry Padden then attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt and a Campbell error on the play allowed both runners to score as Monmouth claimed the 8-7 win.
 
Game Two Recap:
The Hawks struck first in game-two, putting a run on the board in the bottom of the second. Chris Andrews led off with a single and came around to score on Joey DeMucci's two-out single up the middle. 
 
Campbell took the lead in the top of the third and after scoring five runs on two hits and one Monmouth error. 
 
Monmouth got one back in in the bottom of the eighth. Padden drew a two-out walk and stole second. He came home on Denlinger's single to left. That made it a 5-2 game but unfortunately was all the Hawks could muster as Campbell claimed the win.
 
NOTES
- Monmouth moves to 1-1 all-time against the Camels. The two sides met for the first time ever on Saturday as the Camels are in their first year in the CAA.
- Monmouth moved to 5-1 in CAA doubleheaders this season (Towson, Delaware, Campbell).  
- The Hawks honored Dante Ciaramella, James Harmstead, Jake Fraher, Joey Ventresca, Chris Andrews, Casey Caufield, Drew Helmstetter, Austin Denlinger, Eric Sabato, Skyler Saunders, Mason Wolf, Harry Padden and Phil Stahl for their contributions to the program before the game. 
- Harmstead's game-one home run was his team-leading sixth of the season and 33rd of his career. He needs one more home run to move into a tie for second on the career home runs list at Monmouth. 
- Padden has hit safely in six straight games and enters Sunday's contest needing just one more hit to reach 100 for his career. 
- Stahl extended his hit streak to 11 straight games.
- Helmstetter matched his season and career-high with nine strikeouts in the game.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Campbell out hit the Hawks, 12-9 in game one.
- Both pitching staffs combined for nine strikeouts in the first game.
- Derek Benzinger earned the win for the Hawks in game-one and improved to 2-3 on the year. He tossed the final inning and allowed two runs on two hits. 
- Jackson Roberts took the game-one loss for the Camels as he went the final 1.1 innings and gave up two runs on two hits.  
- Monmouth finished with a 6-3 edge in hits in game-two. 
- The Hawks' pitching staff had 11 strikeouts in the game while Campbell finished with six. 
- Zach Sabers earned the game-two win for the Camels. He went 7.2 innings and allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. 
- Drew Helmstetter suffered the loss after giving up five runs, one of which was earned on three hits in seven innings of action.
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth and Campbell wrap up its three-game series with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday, May 12.