Boyertown, PA – Montclair State took a step toward returning to the NCAA Division 3 World Series, but may have taken two steps back.

Montclair State, the defending Division 3 champion, advanced in the Mid-Atlantic Regional with a 9-5 victory over DeSales yesterday at Bear Stadium. In the process, All-America shortstop BRIAN ELLERSON re-injured his right knee in the fifth inning and will be out for the season.

Montclair State led 5-3, when Ellerson, the Division 3 Preseason Player of the Year by Baseball America, took a lead off second base after collecting his second hit of the day. His knee gave way and he crumbled to the ground in agony.

"It just gave out," Ellerson said after the game, standing on crutches with his leg immobilized. "I heard it pop. I knew it was gone."

Ellerson originally hurt the knee on April 21. Two doctors recommended reconstructive surgery, but a third, Dr. Russell Warren, the orthopedic team doctor for the New York Giants, cleared Ellerson to play – provided he wore a protective brace.

"Dr. Warren told me I would be 100 percent in two weeks," Ellerson, who missed six games before returning said. "He told me I would be fine as long as I felt up to it. I had no pain at all. I felt fine. I was told there was a very low risk."

Montclair State (33-9) will play today in the third round at 11 a.m. against Johns Hopkins, an 8-2 winner over Gwynedd-Mercy last night. A victory would put Montclair one within one victory of a return trip to Appleton, Wisc., where it won the College World Series last year.

DAVE WURST homered for the second straight day, doubled and drove in two runs giving him six RBI for the tournament. CHRIS BARAN doubled and drove in three runs, giving him five RBI for the tournament.

Wurst had three homers in 155 at-bats this season before hitting two in nine at-bats in two games at the regional.

Montclair pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first. Wurst doubled down the right-field line and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Frank Long walked, stole second and came in on a CRAIG CONWAY infield out. Ellerson walked, moved to second on a SCOTT ALLAN single to left and scored on Baran's infield out.

Montclair State starter RYAN COSTELLO (5-0) allowed four earned run, more than he has allowed in a game all season, and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking five.

With Costello struggling, Schoenig called upon Allan to get the team through a tough situation.