Montclair, NJ - It wasn't quite the offensive explosion Montclair State experienced on Thursday and in fact it was quite the opposite. In the end it was a win for the Red Hawks and an important one as MSU edged Rutgers-Camden 2-1 at Yogi Berra Stadium on Friday clinching a spot in the NJAC Tournament.

Sophomore second baseman JOE FOOTE drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth to back the outstanding pitching performances by MICHAEL MACCHIA and TAYLOR PARSONS as Montclair completed a sweep of the home-and-home with the Scarlet Raptors. The victory assured the Red Hawks a spot in conference tournament which begins on Tuesday, May 3. MSU (20-16)  is currently in a four-way log jam for second place at 10-6 along with Ramapo, Rowan and The College of New Jersey.

Montclair State heads to Ewing, NJ on Saturday, April 30 to face TCNJ at Ackerman Park beginning at 11:30 am. The loss for Rutgers-Camden left it in a tie for the final spot with William Paterson, who holds the tiebreaker against the Raptors by virtue of their sweep earlier this month.

In Thursday's contest at Campbell's Field, the teams combined for 13 runs, including 10 by Montclair over the final two innings. That would not be the case today as Macchia and Rutgers-Camden starter Andrew Gottstein each pitched into the eighth innings allowing very few opportunities for runners to cross the plate. The Raptors threatened in the second. Chris Jones and Jon Theckston opened the inning with singles and moved up to second and third on a sacrifice. But Macchia left them there as he fanned the next to hitters to end the inning.

Montclair nearly put a run on the board in its half. PETER PENA doubled down the left field line with two outs. JUSTIN EPIFANIO laid down a bunt and was hit with the throw to first base allowing Pena to come home. But Epifanio was ruled to be running inside the base line and was called out closing out the inning.

Rutgers-Camden broke through in the third. Brett Tenuto led off with a base hit, went to second on a sacrifice and third as Joe Brooks singled putting runners at the corners. Doug Carter, Jr. grounded to third scoring Tenuto as the Raptors grabbed the 1-0 lead. MSU immediately answered in its half. RYAN LONG was hit by a pitch and MATT LONG worked out a walk after falling behind in the count. Foote was hit by a pitch loading the bases before PHILIP SCOTT lofted a sacrifice fly to left plaing RYAN LONG with the tying run.

Montclair State would take the lead in the fifth. KEVIN CAMPBELL singled and stole second with one out. Gottstein fanned the next hitter however Foote followed with a doubled down the left field line scoring Campbell for a 2-1 MSU lead.

The Raptors would put the tying run on base in both the seventh and eighth innings but neither threat materialized as Macchia came up with bit out pitches in both frames. Parsons came on and was dominating striking out the side on 12 pitches for his fifth save of the season .

Macchia allowed eight hits, struck out seven and walked one as he improved to 6-2. Gottstein (3-4) also fanned seven and gave up seven hit and the two runs in 7 1/3 innings.

Pena finished with three hits for MSU while Campbell and Foote each had two. Brooks and Joe Sigismondi collected two hits apiece for Rutgers-Camden.