Auburndale, FL – Sophomore shortstop HAYDEN REYES drove in three runs while catcher JUSTIN BATES added a pair of RBI as Montclair State won its fifth straight, beating Central College (IA) 8-4 at the RussMatt Invitational on Wednesday evening.

Sophomore JOE NORTON went 4-for-5 with three runs scored as the Red Hawks improved to 7-2 overall while remaining perfect on its Florida trip at 5-0. Montclair State faces Fontbonne University on Thursday, March 8 at 9:30 am.

The Red Hawks fell behind 1-0 in the first but scored three times in the fourth to take the lead. DOM LAMPASONA singled in the first run and Bates' two-run single made the score 3-1. Reyes added an RBI ground out in the fifth before Central cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth.

Reyes pushed the lead back 5-3 in the seventh with a sacrifice fly and ANDREW OLLWERTHER had na RBI single in the eighth. Reyes singled home Bates in the ninth and Norton scored on a double play to account for the final MSU run.

Freshman BRIAN REISS recorded his first collegiate victory going the first five innings. Reiss (1-0) allowed an unearned run and four hits while striking out seven.

Bates and BRODY LABBE had two hits each for Montclair State which collected 12 in the game.