Box Score / Box Score (PDF) / Van Spronsen Game Program Graphic

Staten Island, NY - Monmouth defeated Wagner 2-0 in the first game of today's doubleheader at Richmond County Bank Ballpark behind a complete game, 11-strikeout performance from Pat Light. The Hawks improve to 12-7 and 4-1 in the Northeast Conference (NEC) while the Seahawks fall to 7-13 and 3-2 in the league.

In defeat, senior RHP Ryan Van Spronsen (Brantford, Ontario / Assumption College) turned in another outstanding outing, striking out seven while yielding just two runs on five hits over 9.0 innings in picking up his third-straight complete game.

MU scored the only runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Owen Stewart led off with a double before Ed Martin followed with a walk. Chris Perret then delivered two-run double to the right-center gap, plating Stewart and Martin.

From that point on, Van Spronsen was nearly unhittable while retiring 21 of the next 22 batters he faced - including 12-straight after allowing an infield single to Jon Guida leading off the fifth. During that time, the Canadian native struck out five while keeping the the Green & White in the game.

Unfortunately for Wagner, Light was on top of his game as the reigning NEC Pitcher of the Week retired the first 21 batters he faced over 7.0 innings. Senior Hayden Hunter (Santa Monica, CA / Notre Dame) broke up Light's bid for a perfect game with a single up the middle, leading off the eighth. However, Light would erase Hunter on the ensuing play with a double-play grounder. Junior Jayson Keel (Starkville, MS / Starkville / Holmes CC) followed with the Seahawks' second hit of the game with a line drive to center field. Keel, however, would be stranded at first after Light induced a ground out, quelling the threat.

Monmouth threatened in the top of the ninth, putting runners on first-and-second with two outs, only to have Van Spronsen cap another outstanding start with a strikeout of Chris Perret.

Wagner was unable to mount a rally n the bottom part of the frame as Van Spronsen fell to 3-1 with the tough-luck loss as Light improved to 4-1. Both hurlers becames the first NEC pitchers to open up conference play with back-to-back complete games.