Appleton, WI - A detour through the loser's bracket of the Division III World Series never shook Montclair State's faith because, to their core, the Red Hawks never took their eyes off the ultimate prize. The national championship. Even after debuting with a defeat against SUNY-Cortland, the Red Hawks just shrugged and said they could go against the law of averages and eventually take home that title..

Yet, late Tuesday night, the Red Hawks still remained standing in Appleton, Wisc., just one game away from becoming only the second team to take home the championship after an opening-game loss.

Montclair State continued its resurgence at the Division III Series against St. Thomas of Minnesota, erupting for 18 hits to score a commanding 13-3 victory to force a second game against the Tommies, a winner-take-all tilt that would crown a national champion. If the Red Hawks win the nightcap, it would give them their third title trophy, following up successes in 1987 and 1993.

After a 5-1 opening loss to SUNY-Cortland, MSU (41-7-1) has ripped off four straiht wins. There was a gutsy 5-0 win over Emory of Georgia on Saturday, a 7-2 triumph over Wartburg of Iowa on Sunday and a 10-3 beating of Allegheny of Pennsylvania, all serving as preludes to a strong offensive showing against St. Thomas (35-13) Tuesday evening.

Things started off in fine fashion, as junior third baseman CRAIG CONWAY (4-for-4, two runs, three RBI) crushed an RBI triple before senior designated hitter GEORGE GALLAGHER (3-for-5, two runs, two RBI) roped a two-run homer, his 10th, to stake MSU to a 3-0 lead after one.

Although St. Thomas pulled to within 3-2 after two frames, the Red Hawks created plenty of distance by putting up single runs in the third and fifth, two more in the sixth and a six-spot in the seventh.

Every Red Hawk starter had a hit, and sophomore BRIAN ELLERSON hit his ninth homer and plated three runs. Junior second baseman DAVE WURST, sophomore right fielder CHRIS BARAN and Ellerson each banged out two hits.

That was more than enough support for All-American senior righty Greg Belson (11-2), who scattered seven hits and two runs through seven innings of work. By this point, Norm Schoenig began emptying his bench, readying his starters to play another nine innings that would decide a national championship.