BEL AIR, Md. – Senior lefthander Kyle Paul and senior righthander Brandon Gonnella combined to pitch five shutout innings of relief as the Tigers (10-7) snapped their four-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over Monmouth University (3-11) in a game played at Harford Community College on Thursday afternoon.
The game was played at Harford Community College because John B. Schuerholz Park was unplayable due to wet conditions.
Paul came into the game in the fifth inning with the Tigers trailing, 5-2. He pitched three scoreless innings and allowed only one hit. He didn't walk anyone and struck out three.
Paul earned his first win of the season and the seventh in of his career when the Tigers came from behind.
Gonnella picked up his fifth save of the year by pitching two scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and struck out three.
In the top of the first inning, the Hawks took a 2-0 lead as they scored a pair of unearned runs. Senior leftfielder Joe Bamford led off the game by reaching on an error by senior shortstop Pat Fitzgerald. After reaching second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Steve Wilgus, he advanced to third base on a single by senior Jake Gronsky. While senior Danny Avella was striking out, Gronsky stole second base. Junior Craig Sweeney gave the Hawks a 2-0 advantage when he doubled to left centerfield. Junior righthander Chris Acker pitched out of the inning by retiring third baseman Grant Lamberton on a ground ball to shortstop.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out as senior Dominic Fratantuono singled before senior Brandon Gonnella and freshman Chris Henze drew walks. However, junior righthander Adam Yunginger came back and struck out senior Kurt Wertz and junior Peter Bowles to end the threat.
In the second inning, the Tigers got on the scoreboard. Fitzgerald led off by reaching base when he was hit by a pitch. After he stole second base, he scored on a two-out single by senior Hunter Bennett.
Monmouth came right back and upped its lead to 3-1 when Wilgus led off with a single and reached second base on a wild pitch. He scored on an RBI single by Avella. Acker pitched out of the inning when Sweeney grounded to Mike Draper at third base, who turned a double play.
In the bottom of the third, the Tigers cut their deficit to 3-2. Fratantuono led off with a walk and went to second base on a wild pitch. He scored on a single to right center by Wertz. After Wertz stole second base, Bowles was retired on a fly ball to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth, the Hawks added a pair of unearned runs. Lamberton led off with a walk, marking the fourth straight inning that Monmouth had its leadoff hitter reach base. With one out, Lamberton stole second base. With two outs, freshman catcher Ryan Bailey lifted a fly ball to left field. Wertz appeared to have it lined up but lost it at the last second and dropped the ball for an error as Lamberton scored. When Bamford tripled down the rightfield line, Bailey scored to give Monmouth a 5-2 advantage. Wilgus ended the inning when he flew out to centerfield.
In the fifth inning, the Tigers had two runners on base with no outs after Yunginger walked Fratantuono and Gonnella to start the frame. Yunginger was relieved by sophomore lefthander Frank Trimarco. After Trimarco struck out Henze, he retired Wertz on a fly ball to left field. However, Trimarco threw a wild pitch while facing Bowles. Fratantuono reached third base and scored when Bailey's throw went down the left field line for an error. But, Trimarco struck out Bowles to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers cut their deficit to 5-4 without a base hit. Trimarco hit Fisher with a pitch to start the inning. After Fisher left the game for pinch runner Brady Policelli, Policelli reached second base on a wild pitch. Fitzgerald hit a hard ground ball to the mound where Trimarco knocked it down and threw to first for the out as Policelli reached third base.
However, Trimarco was injured on the play and left the game. He was relieved by senior lefthander Stephen Frey. With Policelli on third and one out, Draper drove in the run with a squeeze play bunt as the Tigers pulled to within 5-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Tigers rallied to take their first lead of the game. Fratantuono led off with a single and went to second base when Gonnella grounded out to shortstop. Back-to-back walks to Henze and Wertz loaded the bases for Bowles.
Bowles lined a single to left field to score Fratantuono with the tying run, leaving the bases loaded. After Policelli struck out, Fitzgerald drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the go-ahead run.
After the walk to Fitzgerald, junior righthander Jeff Paglione relieved Frey. He fell behind Draper 3-0 before coming back to strike him out.
The Hawks outhit the Tigers by a 9-6 margin as Bamford, Gronsky and Sweeney had two hits each.
Fratantuono led Towson with two hits.
Although the Tigers managed only six hits, they were the recipients of 10 walks by Monmouth pitchers.
The Tigers return to action on Friday when they visit Georgetown in the first game of a three-game weekend series at 3:00 p.m.
