FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2001

HAWKS CONTINUE WIN STREAK WITH 4-1 WIN OVER CW POST

West Long Branch, N.J. – The Monmouth Hawks used five pitchers, who scattered five hits, allowing one run as they posted a 4-1 victory over the Pioneers of CW Post.  The Hawk offense connected on 10 hits, improving its record to 16-17, and continuing the win streak, which is at five.  Mike Benfield (4-0) started on the mound for Monmouth and was credited with the win.

The Hawks drew first blood in the contest in the first as Lance Koenig (2-3) was hit by a pitch, then stole second base.  Jay Law (2-3) followed up with a single and the two runners were successful on a double-steal, putting runners on second and third.  Jeff Toth, the NEC Player of the Week, drove in Koenig from third on a sacrifice fly.  Monmouth had another successful sacrifice in the third inning as Law lifted a shot to center field, which scored Greg Landis (3-4) from third.

Benfield gave way to Glenn Keeton, who took the hill for the Hawks in the fourth inning.  Benfield allowed one hit, while striking out one.  Keeton pitched two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two Pioneer batters.

Monmouth added their final two runs in the fifth inning as Landis led off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball.  Koenig then drove in Landis with a double, and scored himself as Toth collected his second RBI of the afternoon.

CW Post got an unearned run in the sixth inning off of reliever Chuck Garrison to cut the lead to 4-1, but were unable to do any more damage, even with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.  Chris Heycock entered the game to spell Garrison with the bases juiced and got a ground ball force-out at home and a fly-out to end the threat.

Brian Gismonde threw for the final two innings for the Hawks, allowing one hit and striking out three, en route to collecting his fourth save of the season.

Alper Ulutas threw a complete game for the Pioneers, but suffered the loss, dropping his record to 0-3.

Monmouth returns home tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Tigers of Princeton University in a 3:30 p.m. contest.