WALTHAM, Mass. – Despite falling behind 2-0 and giving up ten hits, Merrimack College senior right-hander Cam Monagle (Cambridge) defeated Bentley University for the third time this season, 5-2 in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division baseball at DeFelice Field Wednesday afternoon.

The series sweep of the Falcons boosted division-leading Merrimack to 22-13 overall and 11-2 in the Northeast. Bentley slid to 14-20 overall, 14-10 against East Region opponents and 8-6 in the division.

The Falcons, who had been scoreless in Monagle's first two starts against them this season, finally broke through in the fifth. Senior right fielder Brandon Grover (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill HS) led off the inning with a single to left and scored on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from sophomore shortstop Kyle Halloran (Hopkinton/Hopkinton HS).

Grover doubled in a run in the sixth, extending the Falcons' lead to 2-0.

The lead disappeared in the bottom of the sixth when the Warriors, who were the designated home team, scored twice. Junior third baseman Joey Porricelli (Monroe, Conn.) had a sacrifice fly and junior first baseman Thomas Joyce (Newton) had a game-tying RBI double.

Back-to-back doubles by freshman catcher Kurtis Stadnicki (Concord, N.H.) and senior DH Billy Keegan (Seekonk) ignited a three-run seventh for Merrimack, with the inning also including a sacrifice fly by Porricelli.

Monagle, who improved to 6-0, did not issue a walk and struck out three. He was helped out by four double players.

Grover, senior right fielder Gino Fordiani (Sudbury/Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. HS) and junior third baseman Jake Pierce (East Bridgewater/East Bridgewater HS) each had two hits for Bentley.

Senior righty Ryan Corriveau (Milton, N.H./Nute HS) was the most effective of six Falcon pitchers as he allowed only one single in his three innings of work.

Bentley will be on the road for a three-game series at Saint Anselm this weekend, beginning with a single game Saturday at 2 pm.