Montclair, NJ – First baseman Matthew Lange delivered a two-run triple in the top of the eighth inning lifting Drew University to a 7-5 victory over Montclair State at Yogi Berra Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Cole Bosch added a pair of RBI as the Rangers captured their fifth straight and improved to 15-10 on the year. Drew also picked up its first win against MSU as the teams met for the first time since 1983.
Junior second baseman
JOE NORTON had two hits and two RBI for the Red Hawks (10-14), who suffered another late-inning loss this one coming less than 24 hours falling to DeSales University in 16 innings, 8-7.
Drew broke open a scoreless game in the second with four runs. Ryan Nagle brought home the first one with a ground ball that was misplayed. Cole Bosch followed with a two-run double making the score 3-0. Zach Lipshitz sent the ball back through the middle for the fourth run.
Montclair answered in its half with three to cut the deficit to 4-3. Norton tripled up the gap in left center scoring
JASON MOORE and
KYLE FORCINI. Norton later came home on a wild pitch to bring the Red Hawks within a run. MSU took the lead the following inning.
HAYDEN REYES smacked a double to left field.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER scored on the play and
ANDREW OLLWERTHER was awarded home after the Rangers were called for obstruction at the plate.
Montclair's 5-4 lead would last until the fifth when Brent Lincoln belted the first pitch of the frame over the right field fence knotting the contest at 5-5.
In the eighth, Montclair would get the first two outs however Bosch reached on an error getting to second base. Lipshitz was then intentionally walked before Lange drove a 3-1 pitch up the gap in left center scoring both runners for the lead.
Righthander Benjamin Shavitz earned the win in relief as he tossed the final three innings. Shavitz (1-0) allowed three hits and struck out two including the final batter to end the game.
DONALD GONNELLI (1-1) took the loss for MSU.
Norton and Reyes had two hits apiece.
The Red Hawks will look to get back on the winning track on Thursday, April 11 when it hosts Rutgers-Newark at 3:30 pm.
