Box Score

Joe Drpich homered for the second straight game to power Siena Baseball past Monmouth 6-4 in the rubber game of the series in West Long Branch, N.J. The sophomore's three-run blast in the third inning proved to be the decisive blow for the Saints, which came away with a key conference road series win over a Hawks squad which had entered the weekend atop the MAAC Standings.

Siena (12-21, 7-5) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run double by Jordan Folgers in the first inning. However, Monmouth (18-17, 8-4) plated runs in the home halves of the first and second innings to knot the score.

But the tie would be short-lived as the Saints put the first two men aboard to lead off the third in front of Drpich. He then deposited his sixth home run of the season over the right field wall to put Siena back in in front for good at 5-2. Drpich drove in a total of seven runs in leading the Saints to victories in the final two games to rally to capture the series.

Monmouth would once again chip away with single runs in the fourth and fifth to rally within a run, but Siena's pitching held the Hawks at bay the rest of the way. Chris Amorosi tossed three scoreless innings of relief striking out four, and worked out of a key jam in the bottom of the eighth after Monmouth put the potential tying run on third base with nobody out.

Brian Kelly drove in an insurance run in the ninth, and was one of two Saints along with Jordan Bishop to register three hits. Drpich and Dan Swain each also reached base safely three times for Siena.

The Saints return to the diamond Tuesday for a non-conference contest at Central Connecticut. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. in New Britain, Conn.