Guarino Paces MSU Offensive Explosion in Sweep of NJCU

More news about: Montclair State

Montclair, NJ – Senior catcher Anthony Guarino went 7-for-8 and drove in seven runs as Montclair State swept past New Jersey City University, 14-4 and 17-8 on Saturday at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Junior first baseman Peter Cosentino homered and Sam Angelo recorded four RBI as the Red Hawks upped their win streak to three games and seven of its last eight as they swept the Gothic Knights (4-21, 2-12) for the second time this season. MSU took a doubleheader between the teams in March at Yogi Berra Stadium.

MSU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening as Andrew Ollwerther recorded an RBI single and Angelo a sac fly in the bottom of the first for the first two runs. Ollwerther scored on an error for the third run.

Montclair's lead grew to 8-0 in the second as Feaster tripled home Joe Norton and later scored on a balk. Cosentino launched his eighth home run of the season making the score 6-0. Angelo lofted another sac fly and Guarino singled home Michael Murphy for the last two runs.

Lefthander Patrick Cuccurullo was the beneficiary of the run support as he improved to 3-1 on the year. Cuccurullo went the first seven innings allowing three runs and seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Righty Kyle Seickel tossed the final two innings, striking out two.

Cosentino and Guarino each finished 4-for-4 with Norton, Feaster, Ollwerther, Murphy and Angelo each recording two hits to pace the 19-hit attack for Montclair State.

In the second game, MSU railed 3-1 in the third before scoring six times to take the lead for good. The Red Hawks took advantage of three NJCU errors in the inning. Feaster scored the first run on a miscue and Murphy had a sacrifice fly tying the game at 3-3. Eric Havner pushed across the go-ahead run with a single and Montclair went up 5-3 as Angelo came home on an errant pickoff attempt. Norton delivered a sac fly and Feaster capped the inning with a base hit making the score 7-3.

Montclair put up another six spot on the board in the fifth. Angelo walked with the bases loaded forcing in the first run. Guarino cleared them with a double down the left field line and scored on a Havner single widening the lead to 14-5.

Freshman righthander Jack Haveson (2-0) got the win in relief as he went 1 2/3 innings giving up an unearned run and hit with two strikeouts and two walks. Guarino and Havner each went 3-for-4 with Feaster adding three hits and four runs scored. Murphy was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs.  

The Red Hawks return to action on Thursday, April 29 with their final regular-season home game. MSU hosts local rival William Paterson at Yogi Berra Stadium with first pitch of the NJAC contest set for 3:30 pm.