WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 11, 2022) -- Six different Monarchs recorded multi-hit games as part of the team's 14 hit-effort, but the offensive output fell short as the King's College baseball team fell, 8-7, to the visiting Delaware University on Monday afternoon in MAC Freedom play. The Monarchs fall to 8-14 overall and 2-10 in conference play, while the Aggies improve to 9-13 and 3-9 in the conference standings after Monday's matchup at Lipo Field.

King's (8-14, 2-10 MAC Freedom) struck first as their bats got hot early. Three hits in the top of the second plated a run as junior Brandon Loner and sophomore Chase Yochem started the inning with consecutive singles. A sacrifice bunt from senior Seth Laky moved the runners into scoring position to set up an RBI single to right field from junior Pat Noone as the Monarchs took the early 1-0 lead.

The Monarchs carried the momentum into the third, forcing a three-and-out in the top half of the inning, before scoring twice on two hits. Senior Andrew Steidle got on with a lead off walk before scoring on an RBI double from first year Zach Day as he advanced to third on the throw. Loner's sacrifice fly drove in Day to push the King's lead to 3-0.

Another two runs crossed safely in the fifth for the Monarchs. Loner singled to left with one out and advanced to second as Yochem was hit by a pitch. A one-out walk from Laky loaded the bases as Noone drove in Loner on a sacrifice fly, and Ahlstrom plated Yochem with a two-out RBI single up the middle to push the Monarchs lead to 5-0.

The Delaware Valley (9-13, 3-9 MAC Freedom) offense came alive in the top of the sixth as they scored six runs on five hits to take the 6-5 advantage over the Monarchs. Each team recorded a hit in the seventh before the exciting eighth inning opened the scoring again.

The Aggies plated another run on two hits in the top of the eighth to push their lead to 7-5, but the Monarchs had an answer in the bottom of the inning. Two straight singles from Steidle and junior John Barry put runners on with no outs to force an Aggies pitching change. Day walked to load the bases as Loner drove in another run with a fielder's choice. Another fielder's choice on Yochem's at bat tied the game at seven a piece.

Delaware Valley put the lead off runner on base and advanced the runner to second with a sacrifice bunt. A groundout to the pitcher put the Aggie at third with two outs before Shawn Eldridge hit an RBI double off the left field fence to give the visitors the lead, 8-7.

Bound and Steidle each recorded two-out singles to put the go-ahead run on base, but their efforts came up just short as the Monarchs fell, 8-7, at Lipo Field in MAC Freedom play on Monday afternoon.

Loner paced King's as he went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Steidle also scored twice in the loss, while Noone matched Loner's team-high two RBIs. First year Matt Martin recorded the loss in relief, throwing for 1.0 innings and giving up one earned run on one hit.

Shawn Eldridge led the Aggies with a 3-for-6 effort, driving in two runs and scoring a run. Alex Crimm earned the win in relief, throwing for 2.0 innings and allowing no runs on two Monarchs hits.

The Monarchs will be back on the diamond on Wednesday afternoon as they make the short trip up the mountain to take on Misericordia University at 3:30 p.m. in MAC Freedom play.