BALTIMORE, Md. – A dominating pitching performance from Tommy Kent and three home runs powered the Monmouth University baseball team to a 13-0 victory over UMBC on Saturday afternoon.
 
Kent was in control from the start for the Hawks as he allowed just one base runner through the first five innings and struck out eight.
 
The Hawks broke through on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. Chris Walsh led off with a solo shot to center field. Monmouth loaded the bases with one out and Robert Kelly laced a grand slam to center field. The second home run of the inning gave the Hawks a 5-0 advantage.
 
The Hawks added to their lead in the seventh as Simmi Whitehill's first home run of the season made it an 8-0 game. 
 
Monmouth put five more on the board in the top of the eighth. The Hawks sent nine batters to the plate and led 13-0. Whitehill had an RBI single in the frame to highlight the action. 
 
UMBC loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth but could not get anyone home as Monmouth claimed victory.
 
NOTES

• Tommy Kent's 10 strikeouts are a career-high. It's the most strikeouts by a Monmouth pitcher since Ryan Mealy had 10 against N.C. A&T last year.
• Kent limited UMBC to just two base runners over six innings, one on a hit and one on a walk.
• Brendan Kenneally pitched the final two innings for the Hawks to complete the shutout. He allowed two hits.
• It was Monmouth's first shutout since facing UNCW last May.
• The 11 strikeouts by the Monmouth pitching staff are a season-high.
• The three home runs were the most hit by the Hawks in the same game since they took on FDU last year in March. 
• Chris Walsh's home run was his team leading second of the season. 
• Robert Kelly's grand slam was the first home run of his career. 
• Simmi Whitehill's home run was the first of his Monmouth career.
• Brendan Buecker extended his streak of reaching base safely to nine games with a base hit.
• The Hawks drew a season-high nine walks in the contest.  

Up Next

• The Hawks visit NJIT on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 6 p.m.