Montclair, NJ – Lefthander Michael Matusz pitched seven solid innings and Connor Clare drove in three runs as Rutgers-Newark downed Montclair State, 6-1 in the first of a home-and-home series at Yogi Berra Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Catcher Michael Streim added a pair of RBI as the Scarlet Raiders moved to 8-12 on the season, 2-5 in NJAC play. Junior catcher JUSTIN BATES had two hits for the Red Hawks (10-15, 1-6 NJAC), who lost their seventh straight contest.

Matusz upped his record to 2-0 on the season as he allowed three hits and unearned run. The left struck out six and walked four. David Vasquez and Marcus James finished up the game with an inning of scoreless relief.

Rutgers-Newark scored twice in the second to snap a scoreless contest. Clare singled in the infield with one out and Chris Suleski followed with a base hit. Kevin Tamsula made it three consecutive hits with a single that brought home Clare and Suleski with the game's first two runs.  John Klimowich added to the lead in the third with a two-out solo home run for a 3-0 lead.

Matusz set down the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a two-out single to NICK MARTINEZ in the fourth. He would issue a walk to CHRISTOPHER WALKER however he fanned the next batter to end the inning. The lefthander would keep the Red Hawks off the scoreboard until the bottom of the seventh when MSU scratched out a run.

HAYDEN REYES was hit by a pitch with two outs and Bates doubled to left field. The Raiders tried to get Bates going into second base but the throw skipped away allowing Reyes to cross the plate.

Rutgers-Newark would get that run back plus two more in the eighth as it loaded the bases with two outs. Clare brought them all home with a double to left extending the lead to 6-1.

Freshman lefthander JONATHAN ANDERSON took the loss for MSU. Anderson (2-3) allowed five runs and six hit with six strikeouts and a walk.

The two teams are set to meet again on Friday, April 12 in Newark at 3:30 pm.