Montclair, NJ – Fifth-seeded Kean University broke tied game with eight runs in the seventh inning as the Cougars captured the decisive game of the NJAC Quarterfinal Best-of-3 series with a 14-5 win over fourth-seeded Montclair State on Sunday at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Tim Huxen went 3-for-5 with four RBI while Philip Malik added three runs batted in as the Cougars (17-13) move on to the semifinals of the NJAC Championship next weekend, May 14-15 against top-seeded Rowan University.

First baseman SAM ANGELO homered and was 3-for-3 with two RBI for MSU, which finished its season at 20-10, the 20 victories the first by Montclair State since the 2016 campaign.

Huxen drove in a run in the first and added an RBI single in the third before Mahlik plated two with a double in the fourth giving Kean a 4-0 lead. Montclair would close the game with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Angelo got the first two with a double, scoring ANDREW OLLWERTHER. ERIC HAVNER followed with a two-run single through the left side as the Red Hawks closed the gap to 4-3.

Angelo would tie it up at 4-4 in the sixth with a two-out, solo homer. It was Angelo's third home run of the season.

But the Cougars countered with their big inning as they took advantage of a hit batter and three walks along with four hits. Catcher Josh Jackson drew a free pass with the bases loaded for the go-ahead run with two scoring on a sacrifice fly by Zach Marzano giving Kean a 7-4 lead. The Cougars put together three straight RBI singles as Connor DeForge, Frank LoGiudice, and Mahlik each had one widening the lead to 10-4. Huxen capped the inning with his final two RBI making the score 12-4.

Righthander Justin Diefenbach (4-1) went the first six innings to pick up the victory. Diefenabch allowed four runs and six hits, walking three and striking out one before giving way to Justin Hernandez, who allowed an unearned run over the last three innings to earn his third save.

Lefthander SEAN LEWANDOSKI (3-1) took the loss for Montclair. Havner was 2-for-4.