Wayne, NJ – Shortstop HECTOR GONZALEZ singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth as Montclair State battled back from a four-run deficit in the eighth inning for a 7-6 victory over William Paterson at Jeff Albies Field on Friday.

Gonzalez finished 2-for-4 with three RBI as the Red Hawks (9-11, 4-4 NJAC) earned a split of its home-and-home series against its local rival while winning for the third time in its last four outings.

Jimmy Kenny was 3-for-4 with three RBI for William Paterson (14-6, 2-4 NJAC), who squandered a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning.

Trailing by four entering the top of the eighth, Montclair got a leadoff double from PHILIP SCOTT and a single by MATT LONG putting runners at first and second. Gonzalez laced a double to left center scoring both as MSU pulled within 6-4. After a strikeout, KEITH MURPHY delivered a run-scoring single making it a one run contest. He would go to second on the throw home and then stole third which proved to be important as RYAN LONG tied the game at 6-6 with a single back through the middle.

In the ninth, KEVIN ALONSO led off with a single through the middle and went to second on a sacrifice by Scott. Alonso went to third as MATT LONG grounded back to the pitcher and then scored as Gonzalez stroked a single through the left side of the infield giving Montclair State its first lead since the top of the first inning.

Freshman righthander AUSTIN MINTON got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but an error kept the door open for the Pioneers however Minton ended any hope with a strikeout as he nailed down his second save of the season.

MSU took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS however William Paterson scored three times in the third. A Murphy run-scoring hit in the sixth made it 3-2 however WP put three on the board in the second, including an RBI single by Kenny for the 6-2 advantage.

ANTHONY ALTIERI picked up the victory in relief as he allowed a hit while striking out one in his 1 2/3 innings. Lefthander MICHAEL MACCHIA went the first 6 1/3 giving up six run and 10 hits. He fanned three. Brian Kopko, who got the save in Thursday's contest in Montclair, took the loss.

Scott, MATT LONG and Murphy all had two hits apiece for MSU.

The Red Hawks return to action on Saturday, April 11 hosting Rowan University in an NJAC doubleheader at Yogi Berra Stadium beginning at 11:30 am.