Union, NJ - Montclair State University's senior lefty JEFF GOGAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) stuck out seven batters and allowed three runs in seven innings of work as the Red Hawks took advantage of five Kean University errors to secure a 8-3 victory over the Cougars, this afternoon in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) baseball action.

With the win, Montclair improved to 18-8 and 9-2 in the NJAC, while the Cougars fell to 19-10-1 and 7-4 in conference play.

Kean jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first five innings. In the bottom of the second, junior Justin Nathanson (Iselin, N.J.) got the Cougars on the board with a two run homer. Kean added an additional run in the fifth when junior Felix Urena (North Bergen, N.J.) stole home on the backend of a double-steal.

Kean starter Mike Battista (North Plainfield, N.J.) pitched well through the first five innings, as he allowed no runs on four hits, while striking out four. However, in the fifth Battista started to lose his control and his defense let him down.

In the sixth, Montclair's MIKE HALLIGAN (Pompton Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) was on second with two outs when P.J. BACCARELLA (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) hit a routine grounder to third baseman Mark Wickersham (Cinnaminson, N.J.). Wickersham bobbled the ball and then his rushed throw pulled the first basemen off the bag as he tried to block the throw. On the play, Halligan was able to score from second to cut the deficit to 3-1. Battista appeared that he was going to get out of the inning again when he got the next batter, BRIAN BUTLER (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo Regional) to pop up in foul territory, but Wickersham could not come up with the ball and the error extended the at bat. Butler would eventually walk and then Battista walked the following batter MIKE WEISS (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape). Senior designated hitter TOMMY WARTH (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) then delivered the biggest hit of the inning when he singled up the middle to score two runs and tie the game at 3-3.

Gogal kept the Cougar batters at bay and the Red Hawks put the game out of reach when they scored four runs in the eighth, as Kean committed two more errors in the inning. Montclair State scored all three runs in the sixth with two outs and also scored all four runs in the eighth with two outs. Butler was on third with two outs when junior catcher ROB BLACKBURN (Sussex, NJ/Vernon) hit a blast into left center that was just out of reach of Kean outfielder Kevin Wright (Plainfield, N.J.) and went up against the fence for an RBI triple. Sophomore MARC DECASTRO (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) followed with an RBI single. DeCastro then stole second and advanced to third as the throw went into centerfield, Halligan then single home

DeCastro for the third run of the inning. Halligan would eventually score the final run of the stanzaa when he came home on a passed ball. Montclair added an insurance run in the ninth when pinch hitter MATT BENEDETTI (Summit, NJ/Summit) delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Butler who led off the inning with a triple. DeCastro led the Red Hawks 13-hit attack, as he went 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored, Butler went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Warth had two hits and two RBI. On the mound, Gogal picked up the win and improved to 4-2, while sophomore right-hander ALEX THOMPSON (Whippany Park, NJ/Whippany Park) allowed no runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of relief work to close out the game.

For the Cougars, Nathanson went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one homerun, while freshman Aaron Richard (Plainfield, N.J.) added one hit and one walk. Senior Keith Barber (Bridgewater, N.J.) allowed five runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings of work and received the loss for Kean.