WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Interstat) — Nick Lovarco drove in five runs, including the go-ahead two-run double in a four-run eighth inning, as the Monmouth Hawks rallied to complete a three-game Colonial Athletic Association sweep of the Towson Tigers with a 10-8 victory Sunday at Monmouth Baseball Field.

The Hawks, who trailed 8-3 after the top of the third inning, scored seven unanswered runs to secure the win. The comeback was capped in the eighth when Lovarco, who had a three-run homer in the first, laced a double to right field off Towson reliever Jacob Whiteman to score Simmi Whitehill and Chris Walsh, giving Monmouth a 9-8 lead.

Brendan Buecker followed with a single to left that scored Lovarco, though Buecker was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. That insurance run proved critical as Towson mounted a threat in the ninth.

The most important part of the game was Monmouth’s decisive four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, which turned an 8-6 deficit into a 10-8 lead. The inning featured key situational hitting, including a sacrifice bunt and Lovarco’s clutch two-out, two-run double that flipped the score.

Monmouth (19-13, 3-0 CAA) won its fifth straight game. Towson (14-18, 0-3) lost its fourth consecutive contest.

Lovarco, the Hawks’ left fielder, finished 2 for 4. His first-inning blast off Towson starter Liam Diehl immediately answered a big top of the first from the Tigers and began the long climb back. Diehl lasted four innings, allowing six runs – five earned – on six hits with six strikeouts.

Towson’s offense was powered by Max D’Alessandro, who went 3 for 3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Brady Nathison was 3 for 5 with a solo homer, and Keldrin Rodriguez added a two-run shot.

The Tigers struck quickly, batting around in a lengthy top of the first inning to take an 8-0 lead before Monmouth had recorded an out. The Hawks chipped away immediately in their half of the frame on Lovarco’s three-run homer. Jake Howlett added a solo shot in the second to make it 8-4.

Towson’s offense then stalled against the Monmouth bullpen. Brendan Kenneally provided 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts to steady the game. Kevin Opanel followed with two scoreless innings to earn the win.

Whiteman took the loss for Towson, surrendering four runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings of work. Joey Tuttoilmondo recorded the final out of the eighth.

Monmouth’s victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which gave the Hawks a 67.5% probability to win but had projected a final score of 7-6.

The Hawks next host NJIT on Tuesday. Towson travels to face Maryland on Tuesday.