Newark, NJ – Shortstop Jason Moore drove in three runs and lefthander Sean Lewandoski pitched seven solid inning as Montclair State used two big offensive innings in a 12-2 victory over Rutgers-Newark at Weequahic Park on Friday afternoon.
Andrew Ollwerther, Eric Havner and Anthony Guarino each collected two RBI for the Red Hawks (12-4, 4-3 NJAC), who captured the first game of the home-and-home series between the teams. The two are scheduled to meet again on Sunday, April 18 at Yogi Berra Stadium in a 1:00 pm start.
The Red Hawks plated six runs in the third inning to break open a scoreless contest. Havner led off with and stole second with one out. Mile Feaster drew a free pass and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Peter Cosentino walked to load the bases brining up Ollwerther, who smacked a two-run single for a 2-0 lead. After Sam Angelo was hit by a pitch, Murphy singled in the infield for a third run with Moore adding a two-run double for a five run advantage. Havner's fielder's choice RBI completed the inning for MSU.
Rutgers-Newark (1-6, 1-6 NJAC), would answer in its half of the third scoring twice, but Montclair countered that with two in the fourth as Ollwerther manufactured a run on his own. After leading off with a single, he stole second and went to third on a passed ball and scored as the throw down got away. Murphy kept the inning going with a single, and after stealing second, scored on a Moore double down the left field line for making the score 8-2.
The Red Hawks virtually put the game away with a four-run sixth. Guarino plated the first two on a two-run single with the bases loaded. Havner followed with an RBI single and Feaster walked with the bags full widening Montclair's lead to 12-2.
That would be more than enough for Lewandoski, who allowed six hits and the two runs over seven innings. The left struck out four and walked two. Nicholas Sefick finished up with two scoreless innings in relief.
Murphy finished 4-for-5 at the plate with Cosentino, Ollwerther and Moore each recording two hits.
Montclair will be in action before Sunday as MSU hosts Rutgers-Camden at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday in an NJAC doubleheader set to begin at 11:30 am.