LaGrange, GA - Freshman first baseman JASON CHESTERMAN (Bloomfield, NJ / Bloomfield) went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, however at six-run fourth inning by fifth-ranked Heidelberg proved to be the difference as Montclair State dropped the opening game of its Southern trip on Saturday, 13-8.

 Senior MICHAEL BOGGI (Towaco, NJ / Montville) and sophomore KEVIN BOND (Cedar Grove, NJ / Cedar Grove) each had three hits as the Red Hawks fell to 2-2 on the year.

 In the bottom half of the fourth Heidelberg had a two-out rally to break a 3-3 tie which led to the eventual victory. In the fourth Heidelberg had six hits and four runs scored. Knocking in runs was Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) with a triple, along with an RBI single from Gar Keen (Sparta, Ohio / Highland). Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) drew a bases loaded walk to send a run across, while the fourth run was courtesy of a Montclair State miscue.

The Red Hawks would cut the lead back to 9-6 in the top of the fifth as they scored three times. Chesterman doubled down the right field line to score the first run and he and ADAM BERGMAN (Berkeley Heights, NJ / Gov. Livingston) both came around to score on a throwing error.

But Heidelberg answered with a run in the sixth and added two more in the seventh to take a 13-7 advantage.
 
Heidelberg combined for 14 hits in the game. Leading the way at the plate was Ricardo Lizcano (Toledo, Ohio / Roy C. Start), going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Finishing with two hits apiece was Elvin Williams (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid), Keen, Brechun, Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) and Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield). Monroe connected for Heidelberg's first home run on the season, a solo shot to left field.
 
Nathan James (Rockport, Ind. / South Spencer) picked up the win on the mound to improve to 2-0. In 5.0 innings of work James gave up six hits, four runs, three earned and struck out three.

Junior righthander JACK MCDONOUGH (Cranford, NJ / Cranford) took the loss (0-1) as he went the first 3 2/3 innings.

Montclair State continues its Southern swing on Sunday, March 14 as they travel to Atlanta to face Oglethorpe University at 3:00 pm.