WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 7, 2024) -- Brennen Schneider's bat and an explosive eighth inning from the Monarchs helped lead the King's College baseball team to a thrilling 10-7 win over Delaware Valley on Sunday afternoon at Lipo Field. The Monarchs complete the series sweep over the Aggies and improve to 8-14 overall and 4-8 in the Middle  Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) standings, while the Aggies drop to 9-14 with a 2-8 conference mark.
 
King's (8-14, 4-8 MAC Freedom) got out to a strong start, delivering a run in the bottom of the first behind a one-out double from Zach Day and an RBI single from Nick Ciszak. The Aggies did not take long to rally, plating three in the top of the second and another in the third to go ahead, 4-1.
 
The Monarchs had an answer, capitalizing on a lead off walk from Day, a double to left from Chase Yochem, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ciszak to tack on another. A passed ball by the Delaware Valley (9-14, 2-8 MAC Freedom) catcher allowed Yochem to cross safely as King's closed within one, 4-3, after three innings of action.
 
The next three innings saw each team put up solid defensive efforts with just four hits recorded across the frames. Delaware Valley was next to strike, jumping ahead 7-3 off three hits in the top of the seventh before holding King's to just a one-out single from Yochem in the bottom of the seventh.
 
It was a thrilling eighth inning as Schneider led things off with a single to right. A walk from Owen Kosar and a bunt single from Brayden Schoonmaker loaded the bases. Justin Stefanowicz worked an RBI walk before Jaiden Wanamaker singled to center to drive in the second run of the inning with the bases still loaded and no outs on the board.
 
The Aggies defense rallied for two outs, but a double from Yochem and back-to-back hit by pitches delivered to Ciszak and Michael Marmolejos loaded the bases again in the inning. Schneider stepped up and drove in two more with a single to left, and a wild pitch allowed Marmolejos to score as the Monarchs took a solid 10-7 edge heading into the top of the ninth.
 
Josh Kilvitis took the mound in the final frame, forcing a fly out to right, fanning the second, and getting a ground out to Schneider at second as the Monarchs secured the 10-7 win and the series sweep over the Aggies at Lipo Field on Sunday.
 
Schneider led the offense as he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Yochem put up three hits, including two doubles, with two runs and an RBI. Five other Monarchs recorded hits in the win, with Ciszak driving in a pair and Day scoring twice. Vincent Mattio earned the win in 1.1 innings of relief, holding the Aggies scoreless and giving up just one hit with one strikeout, while Kilvitis collected the save in the final inning with no hits. Caleb Graham also threw well as the starter, going 3.0 innings and allowing just four runs on four hits.
 
Jonathan Drews led Delaware Valley as he went 3-for-4 with two runs, while James Miskanic drove in a pair. Colin Foley was awarded the loss in relief, allowing four earned runs on two hits.
 
The Monarchs will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon as they are set to host Clarks Summit University in non-conference play. First pitch at Lipo Field is set for 4:00 p.m.