Little Falls, NJ – Sophomore catcher Rob Raux had three hits and scored a run as Ithaca College topped Montclair State , 6-2, in NCAA Division III Baseball action at Yogi Berra Stadium on Friday afternoon.
P.J. Canestrari and Jeremy Peters each had two hits and a run batted in for the Bombers (21-13-2), who won for the fourth time in their last five contests.
DANNY RODRIGUEZ (right) had two hits for Montclair State (15-23), which dropped its second straight.
Ithaca jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second as Raux singled to open the inning and Kyle Rutherford got a base hit moving Raux to third. Peters then smacked a single through the right side for the first run of the game. The Bombers extended the lead to 3-0 in the third as Ben McBride led off with a single and came around to scored as Raux tripled to right centerfield. Canestarti then followed an RBI single for the three-run lead.
Montclair State would get a run back in the sixth as Rodriguez collected a leadoff single and scored on a double-play grounder. The Red Hawks then threatened in the bottom of the seventh loading the bases with no one out.
MICHAEL NUNES reached on an error and pinch-hitter
ED KLOEPPING walked.
ROB BLACKBURN's reached to load the bases, but pitcher Nick Sottung fanned the next hitter and a base-running miscue by the Red Hawks left runners at first and third with two out.
LOU POLITAN bounced a single through the right side to score a run making the score, 3-2. Sottung then walked Rodriguez to re-load the bases, but reliever Ryan Mays retired the next hitter to keep Ithaca in front.
The Bombers responded with three runs in the eighth as Rutherford drove home a run with a fielder's choice and Bryan Stamboly collected an RBI single to put Ithaca in front, 5-2. Peters, who reached on a single, then stole third and came home as the throw sailed into left field for the final run.
Sottung picked up the win as he improved to 6-1. The righthander went 6 2/3 innings allowing six hits and two runs (one earned). He struck out five and walked four. Mays earned his first save as he recorded the final seven out surrendering four hits with two strikeouts. Montclair State freshman
TIM STRINGER took the loss. Stringer (2-4) gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings with three walks and three strikeouts.
Marty O'Boyle was 2-for-5 for Ithaca , which out hits MSU, 13-10.
The Red Hawks closed out their 2005 campaign on Saturday, May 14 as they take on Ithaca at Yogi Berra Stadium. First pitch of the season finale is 1:00 pm .
