Fayetteville, NC – The Montclair State baseball team rallied back from an eight-run deficit however Ferrum College scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning for an 11-9 win over the Red Hawks in the season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon.

Senior designated hitter MATT LONG had two hits and two RBI for MSU, which scored eight times in the top half of the eighth inning to tie the game. Junior second baseman JOE FOOTE had three hits and an RBI

The Panthers (1-0) scored three times in the bottom of the first inning. Jo Stickney provided the scoring with one swing on the bat launching a three-run home run. Long got a run back for Montclair in the fourth on an RBI single cutting the lead to 3-1.

Ferrum plated two runs in the fifth and took a 9-1 advantage in the sixth as Kyle Anstice belted a three-run home run.

Trailing by eight runs, Montclair exploded in the eighth sending 12 batters to the plate. RYAN LONG drove in the first run with a base hit and Foote's infield single made the score 9-4. PHILIP SCOTT walked with the bases loaded and MATT LONG was hit by a pitch bringing home another run as MSU crept within 9-6. IAN LYNCH lofted a sacrifice fly scoring Foote and back-to-back RBI singles by JUSTIN EPIFANIO and pinch-hitter MICHAEL MUENTENER tied the game at 9-9.

The Red Hawks' momentum didn't last long as Ferrum untied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Lane Deaver, who finished with three RBI, singled with the bases loaded putting the Panthers back on top.

Montclair put the tying runs on base in the top of the ninth however reliever Trevor Otey fanned the final hitter to end the game.

Jared Talley got the victory in relief for Ferrum with Otey picking up his first save. ANTHONY DEBLASIO took the loss for Montclair State. Epifanio went 2-for-4 for the Red Hawks, who collected 11 hits in the
game.

The two teams meet again on Saturday, February 25 at Noon in the first of two games for MSU. The Red Hawks then face Frostburg State at 4:00 pm to wrap up its season-opening weekend.