Newark, NJ – Second baseman Joe Francheschini's run-scoring single capped a two-out, ninth-inning rally as fifth-seeded Rowan eliminated third-seeded Montclair State from the 2007 New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament, 3-2, on Sunday evening at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

Montclair State (21-18) was a ground ball away from moving the game into extra innings and potentially extending its stay in the NJAC Tournament, but catcher Robert Fox reached on a two-out throwing error by the Red Hawks' shortstop.  Pinch-hitter Bruce Reibis negotiated out a walk from MSU right-hander JESUS CASTANO (West New York, NJ/Memorial) (6-2) to put runners on first and second before Francheschini roped a single through the right side of the infield.

Although the throw from right field was offline, the Red Hawks appeared to have a play on Fox at the plate.  However, Fox knocked the ball loose as he crossed the dish, sending Rowan into another elimination game against Kean on Sunday night while vanquishing Montclair from the tournament bracket.

MSU seized a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh after an RBI single down the right-field line by JEFF MILLER (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) to deliver MICHAEL NUNES (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan).  The Red Hawks had runners on first and third with one out, but could not do any more damage.  For the game, they left 11 runners on base and could not capitalize upon the Profs' four fielding errors.

Rowan pushed across the tying run in the home half of the eighth on an RBI double by third baseman Tom Ready.  Francheschini, who reached via a leadoff single, scored on Ready's two-bagger.

MSU had seized a 1-0 lead in the fifth thanks to two Rowan errors.  SCOTT EVANGELIST (Northfield, NJ/Holy Spirit)  poked an RBI single to right center to score LOU POLITAN (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) .  The Red Hawks had the bases loaded with one out, but Rowan starter Gary Winkler got a strikeout and a flyout to wiggle out of trouble.

 In the sixth, the Profs tallied the equalizing run on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Rob Ritterson.

Castano dropped to 6-2 despite a strong outing for the Red Hawks.  He scattered six hits and just one earned run in 8.2 innings while fanning eight, including the first two batters in the ninth.  

Offensively for MSU, Miller and Nunes  each went 2-for-5 to lead an eight-hit attack.

Kevin O'Hara (2-1) earned the victory in relief for Rowan, scattering three hits over 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.  Winkler started and scattered five hits and two runs (both earned) over 6.1 frames, walking two and whiffing four.  Francheschini was the lone Prof with multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with a run and the game-winning RBI.

 Montclair returns to action Thursday, May 10, when it travels to Salisbury for a 3 p.m. contest.