FORT PIERCE, Fla. – The Kenyon College baseball team continued its spring break slate Monday afternoon at the Lawnwood Complex, squaring off against Monmouth College in games nine and ten of its 13-game Florida stretch. The Fighting Scots claimed both ends of the doubleheader, defeating the Owls 4-2 in game one before rallying late to take game two by an 8-7 score. With the results, Kenyon moved to 7-6 overall while Monmouth improved to 3-7 on the season.
Monmouth struck first in the opening contest after a scoreless start through the first two innings. In the bottom of the third, Gabe Zeigler-Harris tripled down the left-field line to bring home the first run of the game before Aidan Parkins followed with an RBI single to push the Fighting Scots ahead 2-0.
The Fighting Scots added another run in the fourth inning before Kenyon answered in the top of the fifth. Ben Resnick ignited the rally with a single before Ben Zimmerman followed with a base hit to put two runners on. Aaron Moss delivered the key swing of the inning, lining a single up the middle that drove in both runners and cut the deficit to 3-2.
Monmouth responded in the bottom half of the frame, however, as Zeigler-Harris reached on a bunt single and later crossed the plate on an RBI single from Eric Campen to restore a two-run cushion. The Fighting Scots' bullpen held the Owls scoreless over the final two innings to secure the 4-2 victory.
Kenyon recorded six hits in the opener, led by Ben Resnick, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a double. Moss drove in both of the Owls' runs, finishing 1-for-3 and a walk. Gio Giuliani, Otto McDill, and Zimmerman each added a hit in the contest.
On the mound, Sam Howell took the loss for Kenyon after allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Peyton Hodges provided solid relief, tossing 3.2 innings while giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out three. Monmouth starter Dane Keeven earned the win after allowing two runs across five innings, while Will Baumgartner recorded the save with two scoreless frames.
The second game of the doubleheader saw KC jump out to an early lead thanks to a big first inning. After Tyler Nee walked and Giuliani was hit by a pitch, Resnick delivered a two-run double down the left-field line to put the Owls ahead. Moments later, Moss crushed a triple down the right-field line that drove in two more runs, giving Kenyon a 4-1 advantage.
MC answered in the second inning when Jace Wilkerson launched a solo home run to right-center, trimming the lead to 4-2. The Owls added another run in the bottom of the inning after Matt Ardell singled and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.
The Fighting Scots pulled closer in the third inning with an RBI single from Clayton Matkovic and a sacrifice fly from Jacob Blunck to cut the deficit to one run. Kenyon responded in the bottom half of the frame when Ben Resnick scored on a wild pitch before Ardell drove in another run on a fielder's choice, pushing the Owls' lead to 7-4.
After several quiet innings, Monmouth mounted its decisive rally in the seventh. With runners aboard, Aidan Parkins delivered a two-run double, cutting their deficit to one before Zach Almaguer followed with an RBI single that was aided by a Kenyon throwing error, allowing two additional runs to score and giving the Fighting Scots the win.
Offensively in game two, the Owls again tallied six hits. Resnick led the way with a 2-for-4 performance that included two runs scored, two RBIs, and a double. Moss went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a triple, while Ardell, Nee, and Zack Webber each added a hit. Kenyon also worked five walks.
On the mound, Ryan Garofoli earned the win for Monmouth after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings in relief with three strikeouts. Isaiah Vance was charged with the loss for Kenyon after allowing the go-ahead run during the seventh-inning rally. Kenyon starter Aaron Moss worked 2.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with three strikeouts, while Jack Briscoe added 4.1 innings of relief with three runs allowed and three strikeouts.
The Owls will now have a day off before returning to the diamond on Wednesday, March 11, when they face Earlham College. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.
