Appleton, WI – The manner in which Montclair State beat Marietta, 2-1 in 10 inning s at the NCAA Division 3 World Series last night was fitting on so many levels.

Fitting because senior All-American infielder CRAIG CONWAY delivered the winning hit. Fitting because it was the 87^th on the season, setting the school's single-season record. Fitting because senior All-American infielder DAVE WURST, the team's leader in stolen bases, scored the winning run after stealing second to move into scoring position.

Because of it, Montclair State (37-9) is now 2-0 in the tournament and one victory away from playing for the national title for the second straight year, and third time in four years.

Montclair will play St. Thomas (MN) on Sunday for a spot in the final round. Last year, the Red Hawks capped their run to the national title beating the Minnesota school twice on the final day.

"The fact that Craig got the hit and Dave scored the run, you just can't imagine..those two guys are the essence of our baseball program," Montclair State coach Norm Schoenig said. "Ninety-eight, '99, 2000, 2001 – without them, not a lot of things happen. They turned the whole thing around, got it going in the right direction.

Wurst got the winning rally going with a leadoff single in the bottom of the 10^th. With the count 3-1 on P.J. BACCARELLA, Wurst stole second. After Baccarella's sacrifice bunt attempt was caught by Marietta pitcher Kris Buirley for the first out, Conway singled to right-center, wrapping two big moments into one.

"I had no clue," Conway said of the record. "It's a great honor, there some good named I've seen above mine. But the best part is winning the game and helping the team advance to the next round."

Marietta (45-8-1), scored first, pushing a run acrosse in the top of the second. Mike Deegan singled and advanced to third when Montclair State third baseman ADAM CERMINARO made a throwing error on Todd Timmer's bunt. Mike Menke's sacrifice fly to center scored Deggan for the Pioneer's lone run.

Montclair starters COREY HAMMAN, the MVP of last year's tournament, was dominant the rest of the way, allowing just two Marietta batters to reach second base over the final eight innings. Hamman allowed just one earned run on five hits in 10 innings, striking out 11 and walking three.

"It was probably one of the best games I've been in," Hamman said. ""Their pitcher and myself, we were both throwing strikes. I felt it I kept throwing strikes our infield would make the played and I knew we'd get a run sooner or later."

The way Buirley was pitching, that was no certainty. Buirley was almost as good as Hamman, allowing two runs on nine hits in 9 1/3 innings.

"That's the kind of game you want to pitch in," Buirley said. "I consider myself a competitive person, and when you have a game like that, a 1-1 game going on and both pitchers are pretty good, that's the games your practice for, that's the game you want."

Center fielder SCOTT CLARK was the first Montclair State batter to solve Buirley, hitting a solo home run to left to lead off the fifth.

"That really gave us some momentum," Clark said.