Marist Baseball Topped by Monmouth Twice

By Mike Ferraro

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Marist baseball team fell in both ends of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Monmouth on Saturday.

In game one, the Hawks scored all four of the runs in the sixth in a 4-1 game. In the second game, Monmouth scored five times in the seventh as it prevailed 5-2.

Game One Summary
Monmouth 4, Marist 1 – W: Dan Klepchick (3-2), L: Ryan Cardona (0-1), SV: Ryan Steckline (4)

The game was scoreless in the first four innings. In that time, Marist starter Ryan Cardona struck out seven.

Marist opened the scoring in the top of the fifth. Matt Rubayo drew a one-out walk, and advanced to second on a bunt single by Gene Napolitano. Colin Mackle’s single brought home Rubayo.

Monmouth then had a four-run sixth inning. James Harstead’s sacrifice fly tied the game at one, and Dixon Black’s RBI single two batters later gave the Hawks the lead for good. Zach Schild followed with a two-run single.

Cardona went 5.2 innings. All four runs he allowed were unearned. Nick Cantone came on in relief to record the final out in the sixth.

Dan Klepchick went the first six for Monmouth to earn the win. He struck out nine and allowed three hits. Ryan Steckline pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts for the save.

Game Two Summary
Monmouth 5, Marist 2 – W: Trey Dombroski (3-1), L: Alex Pansini (0-3), SV: Ryan Steckline (5)

Marist started the third inning with consecutive singles by Reece Armitage, Dylan Hoy, and Ben McNeill. McNeill’s hit brought home Armitage with the game’s first run. Brian Hart’s sacrifice fly scored Hoy, and gave the Red Foxes a 2-0 lead in the third.

Marist starter Alex Pansini did not allow a hit the first 4.1 innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, Dennis Filipovski’s RBI single cut Marist’s lead to 2-1. Two batters later, Jake Catalano’s two-out grand slam gave Monmouth a 5-2 lead.

Marist loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Steckline came on in relief to record the game’s final out.

Marist outhit Monmouth, 10-6. Hoy, Brian Picone, and Niko Amory had two hits apiece.

Pansini struck out six in 6.1 innings.

Trey Dombroski stuck out 10 in seven innings to earn the win.