Wayne, NJ - Senior left-hander JEFF GOGAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) tossed eight innings of seven-hit, one-run ball and junior catcher ROB BLACKBURN (Sussex, NJ/Vernon) went 4-for-4 with two runs and two RBI as Montclair State defeated backyard rival William Paterson, 8-1, Friday afternoon at Wightman Field.

Blackburn's RBI single ignited a six-run eighth inning as the Red Hawks (10-7, 3-1 NJAC) sent 10 batters to the plate. Meanwhile, William Paterson (11-5, 0-1) saw its four-game win streak snapped and lost its New Jersey Athletic Conference opener in its first game since March 30.

After William Paterson seized a 1-0 lead in the second when senior first baseman Matt Cleary (South Plainfield, NJ/St. Joseph of Metuchen) singled home sophomore right fielder Pete Zaccheria (Parsippany, NJ/Parsippany Hills). Gogal settled down from there, striking out seven and walking two while improving to 3-1. He only allowed three runners to reach second base after the second inning.

Meanwhile, the Red Hawks took the lead for good with a run-scoring double by Blackburn in the fourth off Pioneers' junior right-hander Jake Pravkewitz (Manasquan, NJ/Kinnelon), who dropped to 2-1 while allowing eight hits and two runs over six innings.

Montclair State broke the game open in the eighth, starting with Blackburn's RBI single on which a Pioneer error allowed another run to score. Sophomore second baseman BRETT PICARO (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) laced a RBI double, sophomore center fielder MIKE HALLIGAN (Pompton Plains, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) poked a RBI single and junior right fielder ETHAN BOYD (Perth Amboy, NJ/Perth Amboy) smoked a two-run double to help the Red Hawks take control.

Boyd finished 3-for-5 with two RBI, Halligan went 2-for-5 with two RBI, sophomore left fielder BRIAN BUTLER (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) had two hits and two runs scored in four at-bats and sophomore third baseman DANNY RODRIGUEZ (Monmouth, NJ/South Brunswick) finished 2-for-5 as the Red Hawks pounded out 16 hits off William Paterson pitching.

Zaccheria finished 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base for the Pioneers, who managed just seven hits against Gogal and freshman reliever COLIN FENEIS (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood).

William Paterson returns to action Saturday, April 10, when it hosts No. 8 Rowan University for a noon doubleheader. Meanwhile, Montclair State travels to Rutgers-Camden for a twinbill at the same time.