Bel Air, Md. – Harford claimed their first three-game series of 2019, scoring a 5-3 defeat of Monroe in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader to pair with Friday's walk off extra inning win.
 
For the second straight game Monroe kicked off the scoring in the top of the first, this time with an RBI-double that plated one. Harford starter Marty Neal was solid from there, locking down Monroe's offense over the next three innings.
 
Lou Testa and Reyce Curnane boosted Harford's lead to 5-1 in the fifth, mashing an RBI-double and two RBI-double respectively. The Mustangs earned back two runs in the seventh, but Fighting Owl reliever Billy Kral ended any hopes of a comeback by striking out the game's final two batters.

Harford improves to 5-4 on the year, while the Mustangs drop to 2-12.

Scoring Summary
MONROE – 1^ST INNING – Encarnacion doubles, Martinez scores, 1-0
HARFORD – 2^ND INNING – Sczepkowski grounds out, Curnane scores, 1-1
HARFORD – 4^TH INNING – Hojnacki singles, Curnane scores, 2-1
HARFORD – 5^TH INNING – Testa doubles, Shilling scores, 3-1
HARFORD – 5^TH INNING – Curnane doubles, Harbert and Testa score, 5-1
MONROE – 7^TH INNING – Martinez singles, Mercado and Rosselli score, 5-3
 
Game Notes

• Thomas Hojnacki led Harford at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI
• Reyce Curnane (1-for-3) topped the Fighting Owls with a two RBI
• Harford starter Marty Neal (4.1 IP, 1 ER) struck out eight to earn his first win of the season
• Monroe pitchers combined to walk seven batters, include a trio of free passes to Spencer Smith.

Up Next
Harford will end off the weekend with a doubleheader against Mercer County on Sunday, February 24 beginning at Noon.