By PJ Potter - STAFF WRITER Hofstra’s trip down to the Jersey Shore ended in a loss to Monmouth, 5-2.
A two run 3rd inning for the Hawks was enough to break the tie and remain ahead on an RBI base hit from Kyle Perry and a bases loaded walk from Pete Papcun. Perry finished the game with two runs scored.
The Pride plated a runner first, which came in the 2nd inning. David Leiderman walked and advanced to third on a single hit by Brett Johnson. Brian MacDonald then brought him home on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Monmouth (15-19) answered in the bottom half of the inning on a solo home run blasted by Dan Shea, his 2nd home run this season.
Hofstra scored their final run in the 4th inning. With the bases full, Mat Annunziata made it to 1st on an error and MacDonald was able to reach home safely.
The Hawks managed to scrape across two insurance runs in the 5th and 8th inning. Kyle Perry scored on an unearned run to increase their lead by two. In the 8th, Grant Lamberton brought Robbie Alessandrine in to score on a fly ball to center field. Lamberton and Steve Wilgus each went 2-for-5 on the day.
Jake Fallon notched two base hits for the Pride and stole a base.
Adam Heidenfelder pitched for Hofstra, still in search of his first career win. The freshman fell to 0-4 in 2015 after tossing 2.2 innings. He allowed three runs, all earned, on on four hits and three walks. Brendan Mulligan relieved for 3.1 innings. He has pitched 12.1 innings in his last five appearances compared to 13 innings in his first 14 appearances. Mulligan did not allow an earned run and struck out three.
Luke Noone replaced Mulligan and threw 1.1 innings. He surrendered a run after walking two batters. Kevin Weissheier faced the final two hitters for Monmouth to finish it out for the Pride.
Matt Littrell improved to 2-0 in 5.2 solid innings of relief. Though Littrell walked five, he limited the damage by giving up just one run. He also struck out four. Starter Jeff Paglione was pulled after two innings. But, Coach Ehehalt said Paglione was scheduled to only throw the first two and that there were no health issues. Paglione struck out one and gave up a run on two hits and a walk. Justin Andrews closed it out for the Hawks in 1.1 clean innings and was awarded his 3rd save.
Hofstra (15-26) has now dropped four consecutive games and seven of their last nine. They look to turn it Wednesday against LIU Post at University Field starting at 3:30 p.m.