Montclair, NJ – Shortstop Austin Unglaub drew a walk with the bases loaded forcing home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning as Ramapo College slipped past Montclair State 4-3 at Yogi Berra Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Centerfielder Joe Maugeri went 4-for-4 and scored two runs as the Roadrunners (26-11, 10-5 NJAC) grabbed the first game of what was to be a home-and-home series. The two will meet again on Friday, April 27 at Yogi Berra Stadium beginning at 3:30 pm with Ramapo serving as the home team for the contest.

Leftfielder NICK MARTINEZ went 3-for-4 with a run scored for Montclair State, which dropped to 19-16 overall, 7-8 in NJAC play. The Red Hawks are currently a game behind both Kean and William Paterson for the final spot in the upcoming conference tournament with three to play.

Ramapo took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Maugeri tripled with two outs and scored one batter later as Connor Walsh singled back through the middle. Lefthander Jerry D'Andrea made the early run hold up as he wiggled out of two minor jams in the second and third getting strikeouts to end the threats.

Meanwhile the Roadrunners would add to the lead thanks in part to Maugeri who manufactured a run in the fourth with a single to open the inning. He stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly by Vincenzo Sita for a 2-0 lead. An error in the fifth inning allowed Ryan MacNaughton to score putting Ramapo up by three runs.

Montclair State got back into the game and cut the deficit to a run in the bottom of the fifth. The Red Hawks loaded the bases with one out. CHRIS ROTH bounced into a fielder's choice to score HAYDEN REYES and Martinez scored on the play as he throw to second was mishandled.

The game stayed at 3-2 until the bottom of the eighth when the Red Hawks knotted up the score. CONNOR KELLY led off with a single but was erased on a fielder's choice grounder by JUSTIN BATES. Freshman AIDAN SUPP lined a triple to left scoring Bates with the tying run.

Following a walk, MSU tried to execute a squeeze however Kyle Haag came off the mound to field the bunt and made a flip to catcher Liam Duffy to get the out at home keeping the game tied. Reliever Greg Westhelle came out of the bullpen and got the final out of the inning.

In the top of the ninth an error and a bunt single put the first two runners on for the Roadrunners. MSU would get the lead runner off a sacrifice attempt. Pitcher CONNOR LINDSAY struck out the next batter with both runners moving up on stolen bases. Matt Chemis was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Unglaub worked a four-pitch walk putting Ramapo in front 4-3.
Kevin Foulds came on in the ninth and retired the side in order for his ninth save.

Westhelle (1-0) picked up the win. D'Andrea went the first six innings allowing seven hits and two runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts and three walks. Lindsay (5-3) took the loss in the complete-game effort. Lindsay gave up seven hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts and two walks.