Little Falls, NJ – Senior outfielder BRIAN BUTLER went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs as Montclair State knocked off FDU-Florham, 8-4, in NCAA Division III Baseball action at Yogi Berra Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

LOU POLITAN had two hits and two RBI for the Red Hawks, who improved to 16-10-2 with the victory. Jim DaSilva  had three hits and an RBI for the Devils (16-13), who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

After a scoreless first three innings, FDU-Florham took the lead in the fourth plating a run. DaSilva led off the frame with a base hit and after and out, went to second as Dan Bellino  slapped a single to left. DaSilva would steal third and score as Charles Kull  singled to left center.

Montclair State would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as they finally got to Devils starter Christopher Jones . KEVIN CUOZZI  doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning and MARC DECASTRO  walked. Rob Clark  reached on a misplayed sacrifice bunt to load the bases before Politan grounded out scoring Cuozzi with the tying run. Butler then bounced a ball to first that plated DeCastro giving the Red Hawks a 2-1 lead.

The Devils knotted the game at 2-2 in the seventh as Joey Santillo  walked and DaSilva singled to put runners at first and second. The Red Hawks then got a key double play as DANNY RODRIGUEZ  fielded a ground ball at third, stepped on the bag, and threw across the diamond for two outs. However made sure FDU-Florham didn't come away empty-handed as Bellino singled to center scoring DaSilva.

MSU would break the game open in the bottom half of the inning with six runs on seven hits, including five to start the inning. Cuozzi doubled to left center and DeCastro beat out a bunt to put runners at the corners. Clark then lined a single through the left side to put Montclair up, 3-2. Poiltan made it four straight hits as he singled to drive home DeCastro and Butler doubled down the left field line that brought in two more as MSU led 6-2. Rodriguez would add a run with an RBI double and ANDREW VICARO  capped off the inning with a run-scoring single to left.

FDU-Florham would cut the margin in the ninth with two runs on an RBI double by DaSilva. Santillo would also score on an error for the final Devils' run.

Reliever RAY ANDERSON picked up the win to improve to 2-0. Anderson went 2 1/3 innings allowing two hits and a run wit two walks. KEVIN DALTON  started for the Red Hawks going the first 4 2/3 innings surrendering a run on seven hits with four strikeouts. Jones (0-2) took the loss giving up all eight runs and 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Santillo and Bellino each had two hits for FDU-Florham while Clark and Cuozzi collected two hits apiece for MSU.

The Red Hawks return to action on Friday, April 21 as they travel to Newark to face the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark for a key NJAC matchup at Bears Stadium beginning at 3:30 pm.