Bats Fall Silent In 2-1 Loss At Monmouth :: Defeat snaps a six-game winning streak for Temple

March 26, 2008

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - After scoring at least eight runs per contest during its recent six-game winning streak, the Temple bats fell silent on Wednesday in a 2-1 loss at Monmouth. The Owls managed just six hits to offset a fine pitching performance from their staff, notably senior starter Eric Fritz. The right-hander threw five scoreless innings and surrendered two hits.

Monmouth (4-8) took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning off TU reliever Kyle Monahan (0-1) on a RBI single by Paul Bottigliero. The Cherry and White answered back in the seventh with the tying run, but ran into a bit of bad luck that ended the inning.

Junior Sean Barksdale doubled to left to lead off the inning and freshman Steve Nikorak legged out an infield single to put runners on first and third with nobody out. Senior Mike Kelch then reached on an error by the Monmouth 3B Mike Casale, which plated Barksdale and tied the score.

Sophomore Matt Heltz then sacrificed the runners to second and third to bring up junior Steve Mury. The catcher smoked a line drive to Casale at third, who then stepped on the bag to beat Nikorak back and end the inning.

The Hawks mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh as Monahan's wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Temple (11-8) had a good chance to tie the game or take the lead in the eighth, but stranded a pair of baserunners. Junior Jamie Abercrombie singled with one out and senior Stan Orzechowski followed with a single of his own to chase MU starter Kyle Breese.

Tim Dexter came in and induced a groundout and the hosts decided to intentionally walk Barksdale to load the bases for Nikorak. Dexter escaped trouble with a strikeout and gave way to Justin Esposito, who pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

Fritz had his best start of the season, facing just four batters over the minimum in five innings. He stranded runners on third twice but received the no-decision. Freshman Jordan Cannon and sophomore Ryan Thomas combined for 1.1 innings of scoreless relief as well.

Breese (2-1) picked up the win for Monmouth, allowing one earned run in 7.1 innings. He struck out six batters.

Temple returns to the diamond on Friday when it visits Atlantic 10 rival Saint Joseph's.