Atlanta, GA – Senior third baseman CRAIG CONWAY went 8-for-11 with a homer and four RBI as No. 1 Montclair State bounced back from its season-opening loss with victories over Oglethorpe University and Ithaca College at the Rawlings Classic on Saturday.

Conway delivered the game-winner in the bottom of the 10^th as MSU (2-1) edged the host Stormy Petrela, 5-4 before posting a 7-5 victory against Ithaca. Conway and DAVE WURST each homered for the Red Hawks.

The Red Hawks led 2-0 after scoring twice in the second. BRIAN ELLERSON and FRANK LONGO pulled off a successful double steal with Ellerson coming home for the first run. Designated hitter SCOTT ALLAN singled scoring Longo for the two-run advantage.

Oglethorpe would take the lead in the fourth on one swing of the bat as Andy Crosby drilled a grand slam making the score 4-2.

Montclair answered with a run in the fifth on an RBI double by Longo and tied it up in the seventh as Allan came through with a base hit knotting the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the 10^th, Wurst drew a one-out walk, stole second and went to third as the ball skipped away into the outfield. Oglethorpe intentionally walked CHRIS BARAN to put runners at the corners. However, Conway thwarted that strategy with a single to center for the game-winner.

Kevin Rakowski (1-1), got the win as he pitched the final 2 2/3 innings allowing one hit. Freshman JEFF GOGAL made his collegiate debut and went seven innings giving up four runs and nine hits. Gogal struck out seven and walked three.

Conway was 4-for-6 with Allan and Ellerson notching two hits each.

In the win over Ithaca, Conway blasted a three-run homer in the seventh turning a one-run MSU lead into a 7-3 advantage. Montclair then held off the Bombers, who got back within two runs in the seventh.

Wurst led off the game with a home run to left and the Red Hawks went up 2-0 in the third as Baran scored on a double-play. Ithaca countered with a run in the third, but a Baran fielder's choice in the fourth and JEFF SCHRIBER RBI single in the fifth made the score 4-1. The Bombers got within a run in the sixth plating two, the latter coming on an error.

Junior lefthander COREY HAMMAN went the distance, his first start since capturing the national championship game last May. Hamman gave up five runs – two earned – and eight hits while working his way around nine walks. Hamman registered four strikeouts.

Schriber finished 2-for-5.

MSU is scheduled to close out its Rawlings Classic appearance on Sunday, February 25 with two more contests. Montclair State takes on North Carolina Wesleyan at 8:30 am with a contest against Emory University slated for 2:30 pm.