LittleFalls, NJ - Junior designated hitter ROB BOWNESS belted a three-run homer in the opener while Rowan third baseman Bruce Reibis hit what turned out to be thegame-winning home run in the nightcap as Montclair State and the Profs split a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader at Yogi Berra Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (8-7-2, 3-1 NJAC) won the opener, 7-6 before Rowan (17-4, 2-1 NJAC) took the second game in a pitcher's duel, 2-1.

After a combined 13 runs inthe opener, scoring was hard to come by as Robert Rose and NICK RECCHIA hooked up ina pitcher's duel. Rose (3-0) would get the victory as he went the first 7 1/3 scattering six hits, striking out five and walking three. Recchia (3-2) would take the hard-luck loss despite pitchinga complete-game two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and two walks, taking a no-hitter through the first six innings.

Rowan would get the first run in the second without the benefit of a base hit. Brian McLaughlin was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an error for the 1-0 Prof lead. Rowan would finally break through with a hit in the seventh inning when Reibis led off the frame with his third home run of the season.

MSU pulled within a run in the eighth as Rodriguez walked with one out and LouPolitan, who was 3-for-4 in the game, singled to put runners at the corners. Butler would bring home Rodriguez on a fielder'schoice, but reliever Conrad Renner got out the inning withthe Profs holding the one-run lead.

In the ninth, Tyler Dempsey retired the side in order to earn his fourth save of the season.

In the first game, MontclairState scored first with a run in the fourth as DANNY RODRIGUEZ reached on an error and went to second on a sacrifice before coming home on an run-scoring single by BRIAN BUTLER, who had three RBI in the contest. Rowan would answer with three runs in the top of the sixth. Frank Galeota got on via an error and Matt Enuco singled and each moved upa base on a ground out. Reibis then delivered a two-run single to put the Profs in front and Frank Hasenauer added an RBI single as Rowan took a 3-1 advantage.

Montclair State would answer in its half of the inning with six runs. After a strikeout, MarcDeCastro reached on an error and Rodriguez and JAMES SCELZO each singled to load the bases. Butler tied the game at 3-3 with a two-run single and Bowness put Montclair State in front for good with a three-run homer to right, his fourth of the year. ANDREW VICARO added a sacrifice fly as the Red Hawks built a 7-3 lead.

Rowan would score twice in the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-5. Tom Ready had a single and would score on an error and Jim Comprelli  crossed the plate on Enuco's ground ball. The Profs the scored a run in the ninth as Roger Turley walked and went to third on a single by Enuco. Tim Edmeads grounded out to score Turley and move Enuco to second, however, reliever MARTY CABALAR got Reibis to ground back to him to end the game.

TIM STRINGER picked up the victory. Stringer (1-2) went the first six innings allowing three runs (one earned) and four hits,striking out five and walking three. Cabalar earned his third save as he got the final eight outs. Ryan Kulik took the loss for Rowan as he fell to 2-2.

Enuco was 3-for-5 for Rowan while Butler and Bowness each had two hits and three RBI for the Red Hawks.