WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Lafayette scored three runs over the last two innings and put the tying runner on third in the ninth inning before dropping a 5-4 decision at Monmouth on Wednesday night.
Lafayette will next turn its focus to the weekend when it will play Navy in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament.
Monmouth slowly built its lead on Wednesday afternoon, scoring single runs in the first, second and third innings to lead 3-0. Clay Koniencki had the big RBI, a solo home run to lead off the third inning.
Lafayette (19-31) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth.
Spencer Rouse led off with a single and moved into scoring position when
Ethan Stern drew a walk.
Richard Villa (3-for-4) did the rest, plating Rouse with a single to left as Monmouth led 3-1.
Monmouth (21-26-1) answered with one run in the fifth on a Colin McCreary lead-off homer and one in the sixth on a Matt Graber double.
The Leopards mounted their comeback in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs when
Dylan Minghini drew a walk. Monmouth reliever Michael Dimino retired Leopard pinch hitter
Colin Hartey to leave the bases loaded with Lafayette trailing 5-2.
In the ninth,
Michael Landry and
Justin Johnson started things with singles and Rouse was hit by a pitch to load the bases and prompt a pitching chance. Stern struck out before Villa came through with a two-run single to left center field that brought Lafayette within one, 5-4. Rouse made his way to third on Villa's base knock.
Ryan Steckline, who had come on in relief of Dimino, struck out pinch hitter
Brandon Posivak and then ended the game with a ground ball. Steckline earned his fifth save of the season while starter Kyle Ajjan secured the win. Ajjan threw seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five.
Mark Anderson was the pitcher of record on a staff day for Lafayette, allowing two runs on two hits over the first two innings.
No. 4 seed Lafayette travels to Annapolis, Maryland to face No. 1 seed Navy in the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals on Saturday and Sunday. The teams will play one game on Saturday at 1 p.m. and game two on Sunday at the same time. If necessary, game three will follow.
