Baseball Shut Down by Monmouth, 2-0; Hawks Hurler Tosses No-Hitter

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4/13/07 -- The Long Island University baseball team dropped a 2-0 decision to Monmouth to open a four-game series as Hawks pitcher Brad Brach threw a complete-game no-hitter. Brach came within two outs of pitching a perfect game, as junior catcher Danny Etkin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drew a walk to become Long Island’s first and only base runner of the game.

The game was a pitchers’ duel with freshman James Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.) going the distance for the Blackbirds (6-18, 1-4 Northeast Conference). He pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk. Jones struck out nine.

Jones allowed the game’s only runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, rightfielder Kyle Messineo reached on a bunt single, advanced to second on a balk and stole third. After Jones struck out first baseman Andy Myers, designated hitter Rick Niderhaus doubled down the left-field line to score Messineo. Centerfielder Shawn Teters followed with a single to right center to bring home Myers and put Monmouth (17-10, 3-2) on top, 2-0.

Brach struck out six hitters in a game that lasted 1 hour, 53 minutes.

The teams will continue their series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 14. First pitch is slated for noon.