Chandler, AZ – Wisconsin-Lacrosse left fielder Dusty Otto walked with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth which proved to be the winning run in a 12-11 victory over Montclair State at the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational on Friday.

Darren O'Donnell had three RBI with Otto and Tom Peterson each driving in two for the Eagles (3-0). Catcher JEFF MILLER had two hits and two runs batted in for the Red Hawks, who fell to 1-3 on the year, all three losses by one-run margins.

KEVIN CUOZZI tripled home and run in the first and a Miller sacrifice fly in the third helped the Red Hawks to a 2-1 lead. Wisconsin-Lacrosse took the lead with a seven-run fourth inning. O'Donnell had the big hit, a bases-clearing triple as the Eagles led 8-2.

MSU countered with three runs in its half of the fourth to close the gap to 8-5, however UW-L tacked on a run in the sixth and two more in the eighth to widen its lead to 11-6. Montclair State rallied in the bottom of the inning with five runs to tie the contest. Stephen Piscatello doubled in the first run and ED KLOEPPING followed with an RBI single. Miller's RBI triple made it an 11-9 contest before Rob Clark singled in a run getting MSU within 11-10. A ground out by JAY BIONDE knotted the contest.

But the Eagles would go back on top in the ninth as a double and hit batter put runners on first and second with no one out. A sacrifice moved the runners up 90 feet and Montclair elected to load the bases with an intentional walk. Otto then drew the free pass bringing home the go-ahead run.

The Red Hawks nearly tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, putting the tying run at second with two out. Miller then singled but Wisconsin-Lacrosse was able to nail the runner at the plate to end the game.

Righthander D.J. CUNNINGHAM (0-1) took the loss in relief for MSU. MICHAEL NUNES, Kloepping and Cuozzi each had two hits.

Montclair State continues action in the Invitational on Saturday, March 15 taking on Wheaton College (MA).