WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Despite an eight-hit performance and a strong middle-inning rally, Lafayette fell to Monmouth, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon at the MU Baseball Field.

The contest remained a scoreless pitchers' duel through the first four frames. Lafayette threatened early in the second inning when Boden Fernsler and Will Dobil led off with back-to-back singles.Kyle McKernan reached on an error to load the bases, but the Leopards were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

Monmouth took the initial lead in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI-single from Chris Walsh. Lafayette responded immediately in the top of the sixth. Jack Mislan ignited the offense with a one-out single, followed by a base hit from Fernsler to the stage for Dobil. He delivered a clutch RBI-single through the right side to score Mislan and even the game at 1-1.

The Leopards had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the eighth inning. Charlie Chropuvka led off with a single and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Following a walk by Mislan and Fernsler being hit by a pitch, the Leopards had the bases loaded with two outs, but a flyout from pinch hitter Luke Caucci ended the frame.

The game shifted decisively in the bottom of the eighth. Monmouth utilized four walks and two-run singles from Simmi Whitehill and RJ Mustaro to plate five runs for the 6-1 final. 

Nick Tamburro earned the win for Monmouth, pitching 2.0 innings of one-hit relief, while striking out two. Chase Rodgers took the loss, allowing two runs and walking two, in 0.2 innings of work.

Lafayette is next in action when it travels to Holy Cross for game on Friday at 5 p.m.