Hoboken, NJ –The Montclair State scored eight runs in the top of the seventh inning erasing a four-run deficit helping the Red Hawks to an 8-4 win against Stevens in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday. The Ducks would take the nightcap 3-0 for the split.
Stevens (5-4) jumped on the Red Hawks for four runs in the top of the first inning of the opening contest and looked to be in control as lefthander Pierce Marston (Silver Spring, MD / Montgomery Blair) handcuffed the Red Hawks (4-7) to the tune of two hits through the first six innings of the seven-inning game.
But Montclair erupted for eight runs on just two hits in the top of the seventh inning as three Stevens pitchers failed to close out the game.
Phil Scott was hit by a pitch to open the inning and
PETER PENA walked before Kyle Banard was plunked loading the bases. Keith Alonso singled down the right field line putting MSU on the board and pinch-hitter
MATT LONG walked to force in another run as Montclair cut the lead to 4-2.
RYAN LONG bounced into a fielder's choice scoring Banyard and after
HECTOR GONZALEZ was hit,
CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS singled into left center driving in two runs for a 5-4 MSU lead.
The Red Hawks weren't done as an error allowed another run to score and Banyard was hit again, this time with the bases loaded for a 7-4 lead. Alonso walked to bring home the final run.
The offensive outburst made a winner out of lefthander
JONATHAN TORREGROZA (2-0), who settled down after the first inning to fire five scoreless frames before
AUSTIN MINTON fired a scoreless inning to nail down the win. Torregroza allowed eight hits, struck out four and walked two.
Scott scored twice for MSU.
Freshman righthander Alex Detweiler fired a five-hit shutout with nine strikeouts in the second game as Stevens claimed the 3-0 victory.
MICHAEL MANFRA took the loss for Montclair State despite a solid outing. Manfra threw seven innings allowing three runs and five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
Reynolds had two of the five hits for Montclair State.
The Red Hawks next game is scheduled for Monday, March 23 at Neumann University. The game was added to the schedule after MSU's contests at home against Staten Island and Oneonta State were postponed over the weekend. Montclair will take on the Knights at 3:30 pm.
