Willimantic, CT - Junior ETHAN BOYD (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) and senior MIKE WEISS (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) each drove in a pair of runs as Montclair State edged fourth-ranked Eastern Connecticut State, 4-3, on Tuesday afternoon.

The win for the Red Hawks (16-8) was their third straight and gave head coach Norm Schoenig his 500th career victory. Schoenig, now in his 17th season, is 500-231-8 overall, including two NCAA Division III national titles in 1993 and 2000.

It was the second meeting of the season between the teams, who have combined for seven NCAA Division III national championships. ECSU defeated Montclair, 5-1 in the Red Hawks' season-opener at Salisbury University on March 6.

Montclair State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as MIKE HALLIGAN (Pompton Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) led off the game with a single and stole second base before coming around to score on a base hit by Boyd. After PJ Baccarella (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) reached on a fielder's choice, Weiss plated Baccarella with an RBI triple.

The Warriors (22-7) would take the lead in the fourth as it scored three times. However, Montclair State would regain the lead in the fifth with two runs.

Halligan drew a walk to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice by DANNY RODRIGUEZ (Monmouth, NJ/South Brunswick). A wild pitch moved Halligan to third before Boyd line a single to tie the game at 3-3. Boyd would steal second to move into scoring position and came around to score as Weiss delivered a run-scoring base hit to put Montclair State in front.

ECSU would threaten in its half of the fifth as it loaded the bases with two outs, but starter SHAWN ELLERSON (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) escaped the jam by getting a ground out to end the inning.

Ellerson (2-2) went 6 2/3 innings allowing three runs and seven hits. He walked three before giving way to ALEX THOMPSON (Whippany, NJ/Whippany Park). Thompson retired all seven batters he faced, including two strikeouts, as he earned his fourth save of the year.

Boyd finished 3-for-4 while Weiss collected two hits in four at-bats.

The Red Hawks return to action on Thursday, April 22 as they travel to Jersey City to take on the Gothic Knights of New Jersey City University. First pitch of the NJAC contest is slated for 3:30 pm. MSU will be looking to split its season set with NJCU as the Gothic Knights posted a 10-8 victory over Montclair on April 8.