Orange, CA – Senior right hander GREG BELSON tossed a complete-game, six-hitter as Montclair State rode a six-run first inning for a 9-1 victory over Chapman University on Tuesday afternoon at Hart Park.

Belson (1-0) earned his first decision of the season as he struck out six and walked four, coming within two outs of a shutout. J Miller spoiled that with a solo home run just inside the foul pole in the ninth inning.

Senior designated hitter GEORGE GALLAGHER and sophomore shortstop BRIAN ELLERSON each homered and drove in three runs for the Red Hawks (5-2-1). Junior third baseman CRAIG CONWAY added two hits while junior center
fielder FRANK LONGO collecting a pair of RBI.

Montclair jumped all over Panther's starter Bobby Sunderland (3-2). DAVE WURST led off with a walked and went to second on Conway's one-out single. Gallagher followed with double, scoring Wurst with the game's first run and a two-run single by Longo made the score 3-0. FRANK FRANCIA drew a bases on balls and Ellerson brought all three home with a homer to left center.

That proved to be more than enough for Belson, who maneuvered his way through the contest, escaping little jams and one in the sixth when Chapman loaded the bases with one out. However, the right hander registered a
punch out to end the inning.

MSU added to its lead in the top of the fifth as Gallagher launched his fifth homer of the year, a two-run shot extending the lead to 8-0. Sophomore right fielder CHRIS BARAN doubled home JEFF SCHRIBER in the sixth inning for the final Montclair State run.

Conway, Gallagher and Francia each had two hits for the Red Hawks, who recorded 11 in the game.

Montclair State concludes its West Coast trip on Wednesday, March 15 when they visit University of Redlands.