The Monmouth Hawks clinched the Coastal Athletic Association title on Thursday, defeating the College of Charleston 7-2 in a game that will be remembered for its decisive fifth‑inning explosion.
Couture’s Masterful Outing
At the heart of the victory was senior right‑hander Alec Couture, who delivered a complete game, allowing just two runs while striking out six batters. His effort not only secured the win but also marked his sixth victory of the season, the most by a Monmouth pitcher since Trey Dombroski’s six wins in 2022.
Couture’s performance was complemented by a timely offensive surge. Nick Lovarco, Brendan Buecker and Jimmy Bruno each drove in runs with key hits, and the Hawks broke open the contest in the fifth when they plated five unanswered runs to push the lead to 7-2.
A Milestone for the Program
The win represents more than just a championship; it is Monmouth’s first ever postseason victory as a member of the CAA and the first time since 2018 that the program has reached the 30‑win plateau under longtime coach Dean Ehehalt.
With the championship secured, the Hawks now turn their attention to an elimination showdown scheduled for Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. Their opponent will be determined by the outcomes of the remaining games on Thursday night.