Camden, NJ - Freshman DOM LAMPASONA belted a three-run, pinch-hit double in the ninth inning as Montclair State scored 10 runs in its final two at bats for a 10-3 victory over Rutgers-Camden at Campbell's Field on Thursday afternoon. The Red Hawks (19-16, 9-6 NJAC) captured the first game of the home-and-home series as the two will meet again on Friday, April 29 at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Shut down for the first seven innings of the game, MSU plated two runs in the eighth inning and then sent 12 batters to the plate in the ninth scoring eight times to pull off the comeback. The victory helped Montclair inch a little closer toward a berth in the NJAC Tournament. At 9-6 in league play, moved into a tie with Ramapo for fourth place while pulling two games ahead of both the Scarlet Raptors (21-13, 7-8 NJAC) and William Paterson (18-17, 7-8 NJAC). The top six teams advance to the conference tournament which gets underway on Tuesday, May 3.

Rutgers-Camden's Billy Jackson had kept MSU in check through the first seven innings allowing six hits. Jackson got the first out in the eighth but gave up a singled to RYAN LONG. MATT LONG reached on an error and Jackson hit JOE FOOTE loading the bases. Kyle Gaff came on and got PHILIP SCOTT to ground out with a run scoring as the Red Hawks got on the board. KEITH MURPHY then beat out an infield single scoring MATT LONG pulling Montclair within 3-2. Murphy alertly on the play took second but was stranded there.

Lefthander JOSH FELIX gave MSU a great inning of relief retiring the side in order keeping the Red Hawks within a run.

Montclair's winning rally began with PETER PENA being hit by a pitch. An error allowed JUSTIN EPIFANIO to rach and KEVIN CAMPBELL walked loading the bases. RYAN LONG singled bringing home the tying run and MATT LONG's single put the Red Hawks in front 4-3. Rutgers-Camden got the first out however another Raptor error plated another run. Murphy followed with a single for a 6-3 lead.

After a flyout, Lampasona came off the bench and cleared the bases with a doubled to left field giving Montclair State a 9-3 advantage. Epifanio, batting for the second time in the inning then singled through the left side for the final run.

Righthander TAYLOR PARSONS pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the win for Montclair State.

Felix picked up the victory to square his record at 1-1. Rughthander DONALD CUSICK produced another solid start with seven innings giving up three runs and five hits, He struck out four and walked two. Gaff got the loss allowing eight runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings. Only one of MSU's runs in the game were earned.

Murphy finished 3-for-4 as did Epifanio. Pena and RYAN LONG had two hit apiece for the Red Hawks.