BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Robbie O'Connor delivered a dominant six-inning performance and the Huskies erupted for seven runs across two innings, as Northeastern (15-14, 9-4 CAA) defeated Monmouth (14-12, 10-3 CAA) by a score of 7-1 on Thursday afternoon at Friedman Diamond. 

O'Connor (5-1) tied his career high with eight strikeouts while allowing just one run on four hits over six innings. Cooper Maher worked a clean final three innings to close it out and earn the first save of his career, allowing just one hit. The two combined to hold Monmouth to just the one run, with the Hawks coming into the weekend as the top offense in the CAA. The Huskies handed the first-place Hawks their first CAA road loss of the season, putting up a pair of crooked numbers in the fourth and seventh innings.

• Northeastern broke through in the fourth inning with a three-run rally built on clutch two-out hitting. After a double play that left Matt Brinker on second, after reaching on catcher's interference, AJ Aschettino followed with an RBI single to left center on a two-strike count to score Brinker, then Carter Bentley singled to put runners at the corners. Charlie Criscola capped the frame with a two-run single to right field, scoring Aschettino and Bentley for a 3-0 lead, and stole second immediately afterward to put further pressure on the defense before the inning ended.
• The Huskies put the game away with a four-run seventh inning that featured back-to-back RBI doubles from Carmelo Musacchia and Ryan Gerety. Criscola walked and Chris Walsh laid down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third. With two outs, Musacchia doubled to deep left to score Criscola, and Gerety followed with an RBI double to right to plate Musacchia. Gerety advanced to third on a passed ball, Harrison Feinberg walked and promptly stole second, and the failed back pick of Gerety at third allowed both runners to come home to score, pushing the lead to 7-1.
• Musacchia and Gerety each finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Criscola went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a stolen base, while Aschettino and Feinberg each drove in a run. Bentley added a hit and reached base twice. Feinberg (12 games with a hit) and Gerety (26 games reaching safely) each extended their streaks in the win.
• O'Connor was sharp throughout, inducing weak contact and working efficiently to tie his career best with eight strikeouts on just 93 pitches over six innings. Maher was equally effective in relief, retiring all ten batters he faced — striking out two — to seal the victory and record the first save of his Northeastern career.

Northeastern will continue the Monmouth series on Friday at Friedman Diamond with another 2:30 p.m. first pitch on FloCollege.