WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – A run in the top of the seventh proved to the difference maker as Hofstra University defeated the Monmouth University baseball team, 5-4 on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The win by the Pride evened the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) series at 1-1 and snapped the Hawks' six-game win streak. 
 
Hofstra used three hits and three errors in the top of the first to claim the early 3-0 advantage. 
 
A sac fly from Michael Brown in the top of the second extended the Pride lead to 4-0.
 
Monmouth got on the board in the bottom of the third. Simmi Whitehill reached on a fielders choice that allowed Chris Walsh to score. Later in the frame Whitehill scored on Nick Lovarco's RBI single. 
 
The Hawks tied things at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth as Monmouth loaded the bases with two outs. Colin Richter singled to center and Lovarco and Brendan Buecker scored on the play. 
 
Hofstra went back on top in the top of the seventh courtesy of a two-out RBI single from CJ Griggs. 
 
The Hawks had one last chance in the ninth as Buecker reached on a one-out single but he was stranded as Hofstra claimed the 5-4 win.
 
Notes

• RJ Mustaro extended his hit streak to eight straight games with his double in the sixth.
• Colin Richter had two RBIs for the Hawks. It was the second in the last three games that Richter has had multiple RBIs in a game. It was his third multi-RBI game of the season. 
• Simmi Whitehill reached twice via a walk. That extended Whitehill's reached base safely streak to 15 straight games.
• Alec Couture finished with four strikeouts. He now has at least four strikeouts in back-to-back starts.
• Austin Beard matched his season-high with three innings pitched and also matched his season-high with three strikeouts. 
• Beard suffered his second loss of the season despite allowing just one run on one hit.

Up Next

• The Hawks and Pride battle for the series win on Sunday, Mar. 15. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and that game will air on FloCollege.