Clearwater, FL - Junior catcher ROB BLACKBURN (Sussex, NJ.Vernon) drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth as Montclair State picked up its first win of the 2004 season defeating The College of Mount Saint Joseph, 10-7, Saturday evening in their first game of the Clearwater Invitational Tournament.

Blackburn finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored breaking a three-game skid for the Red Hawks (1-2), who pounded out 15 hits in the contest.

Heading into the bottom of the eighth deadlocked at 7-7, MSU exploded for three runs on five hits to take the lead for good. Senior PJ Baccarella (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) drew a one-out walk, and moved to second on a single by pinch-hitter PAUL SAMMARCO (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) . Blackburn then line a single down the leftfield line to plate pinch-runner MARC DECASTRO (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) for an 8-7 MSU advantage. The Red Hawks tacked on insurance runs with RBI singles from sophomores DANNY RODRIGUEZ (So. Brunswick, NJ/So. Brunswick) and MIKE HALLIGAN (Pompton Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep).

Montclair trailed 4-0 in the third, but roared back with five runs in their half of the inning . Blackburn again provided the spark with a two-run single to right while TOMMY WARTH (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) had an RBI sac fly. Baccarella capped the inning with an RBI single through the leftside.

Senior Lou Wieben (Secaucus, NJ/St. Mary's (Rutherford)) picked up the win in relief. Wieben (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out one in his lone inning of work. Freshman righthander Bill Christopher (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) earned his first collegiate save retiring the side in order in the ninth, fanning two.

BRETT PICARO (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) finished 3-4 with 2 runs scored while MIKE WEISS (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape), BRIAN BUTLER (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo), Rodriguez and Halligan each had two hits.

The Red Hawks continue action at the Clearwater Invitational on Sunday, March 14 as they face Wheaton (MA).