LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The Towson University baseball team faced Monmouth in two games Friday afternoon to begin its 2024 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) slate at ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood, N.J. The Tigers dropped the first contest, 13-3. In the second game, the Tigers and Hawks traded leads throughout the game, with the Hawks prevailing, 9-7 Friday night.
 
In game one, four hits in the first gave Monmouth (5-12, 1-0 CAA) an early three-run lead. Towson (4-17, 0-1 CAA) cut the deficit to two in the third inning before Stahl's three-run homer in the bottom half to make it 6-1. A wild pitch in the next frame allowed Brian Heckelman to score from third to cut the Monmouth lead to four. The Hawks added five runs on four hits in the bottom half, capped by Hunt's three-run double to left center field. A bases loaded HBP and sacrifice fly to follow in the fifth gave the Hawks a 13-2 advantage. Ryan Williamson knocked in one more for the Tigers in the eighth to make it a 10-run Hawk advantage. The game went to a 13-2 final after no runs were scored in the top of the ninth.
 
Key Stats (Game One):

• Towson starter Max Simpson (2-3) took the loss, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits in his 3.1 inning start with one walk issued. Simpson fanned three batters.
• Monmouth starter Drew Helmstetter (2-0) recorded the win with two runs, one earned, allowed on seven hits and two walks in his 7.0 inning stint. Helmstetter struck out five batters.

 
How it Happened (Game One):

• Monmouth jumped out to a three-run lead in the bottom of the first inning on four hits. Back-to-back doubles to start the frame plated the first run. Later in the inning, a double and single plus error allowed two more to score.
• In the third, three-straight singles loaded the bases for Bryce Frederick, whose fielder's choice at third knocked in the first Tiger run of the game.
• Phil Stahl pushed the Monmouth advantage to 6-1 in the bottom half on a home run to left field with two runners on.
• The Hawks added five more runs on four hits in the fourth, highlighted by Hunt's bases-clearing double to left center bringing in three runs.
• Monmouth added two more runs in the fifth on a bases-loaded HBP and a sacrifice fly on the following at-bat to make it a 13-2 game.
• Ryan Williamson knocked in one more run for the Tigers in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded groundout.

 
The teams traded blows through the first five innings in game two, with Monmouth (6-12, 2-0 CAA) holding a 5-4 edge through the bottom half. Towson (4-18, 0-2 CAA) posted three runs in the sixth to take a two-run lead, highlighted by Heckelman's double down the left field line scoring two. Denlinger hit a two-run double down the same line in the bottom half to even the score at seven runs apiece. In the seventh, an errant throw to third base allowed a runner to reach home for a one-run Hawk advantage. Later in the frame, a bases-loaded walk gave Monmouth a 9-7 edge. The Tigers went down in order in the final two frames for a series clinch for the Hawks.
 
Key Stats (Game Two):

• Towson reliever Andrew Luczak (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, with three free passes issued in the 0.2 inning outing.
• Monmouth reliever Colin Ruddy (1-1) registered the win, surrendering three earned runs on two hits with three walks issued in the 2.0 inning stint. Ruddy struck out three.

 
How it Happened (Game Two):

• Towson took the early lead in game two on Bryce Frederick's single to left field, knocking home Cole Stefano from third.
• The Hawks answered back in the home half. Denlinger knocked in two runs on a single through the left side.
• In the third, Phil Stahl's single to center field was enough to score a run from second, making it a 3-1 Monmouth advantage.
• Brady Nathison singled to right center field in the fourth, scoring Sean Britt from second to cut the Monmouth lead to one.
• In the fifth, Dickerson's triple to right center field scored Stefano from second to tie the game. Later in the frame, Dickerson scampered home on a wild pitch to give the Tigers a 4-3 edge.
• In the bottom half, Harmstead doubled down the left field line with a runner on first, knotting the game at four.
• In the sixth, Stefano scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at five. Heckelman, the next batter, doubled down the left field line to give the Tigers a 7-5 lead.
• Monmouth evened the score in the home half, scoring two runs on Denlinger's double down the left field line.
• An errant throw on the throw-down to third base allowed Monmouth to retake an 8-7 lead.

 
On Deck:
The series concludes Sunday, March 24, at 1 p.m. at ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood, N.J.