FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 13, 2001

POWERFUL PITCHING LEADS MONMOUTH TO TWO WINS OVER UMBC

West Long Branch, N.J. – The Monmouth University Hawks received solid starting pitching and powerful relief from Mike Kelly, en route to a double header sweep of Southern Division rival, UMBC.  Mike Benfield (no decision in game one) and Glen Keeton (game two’s winner) provided solid innings in both contests.  The wins put Monmouth in first place of the South Division with a 9-1 NEC record.  UMBC is now 8-3 in the league.

In game one, UMBC loaded the bases in the second inning and pushed across runs with a fielder’s choice, a Monmouth throwing error, and a sacrifice fly, making the score 3-0.  UMBC’s starter, Eric Weltmer (6-1), was perfect through four innings of work until Jeff Toth (2-3) led off the fifth with a single.  Paul Grasso doubled, advancing Toth to third.  Brian Gismonde then provided a two-run double, scoring the two runners.

Monmouth tied the game in the sixth on Jay Law’s fifth home run of the season.  Mike Kelly came in the game in the seventh and retired the one batter he faced, opening the door for the Hawks in the bottom of the frame.  With two outs in the Monmouth half of the seventh, Mike St. Martine was sent in to pinch hit and delivered a double.  Chuck Gookins then entered to pinch run for St. Martine and scored as Ian Magley drove a ball at the second baseman, Chad Gerben, which was misplayed, making the final score 4-3.

In game two, Keeton took the mound for the Hawks, going six innings, allowing two runs on five hits.  UMBC jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after loading the bases.  The first run was forced in while the Hawks turned a double play and the second run was driven in by Jeff Fraley’s double.

Monmouth came back in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs of their own.  Lance Koenig drew a one out walk, followed by Law being hit by a pitch from UMBC starter, Greg Hopper.  Toth (1-3) tripled, driving in two runs.  Toth was later driven in by Kelly’s (2-3) single.

Keeton, who gave three of his five hits in the first three innings, had a four-pitch 4th, retiring the three batters.  Monmouth scored another run in the sixth as Gookins doubled and came home on Kelly’s single.

Kelly came on to pitch the seventh inning for the Hawks, retiring all three batters and ensuring the win for Monmouth.  Keeton (3-4) earned the win, while Kelly picked up his second save.  Hopper suffered the loss, making his record 4-3.

The Hawks and Retrievers complete the three game series tomorrow afternoon at Hawk Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.