Baseball: Game Day Preview vs. Rutgers-Newark

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State baseball team opens up New Jersey Athletic Conference play Saturday against Rutgers-Newark.

GAME INFO
The first pitch in Newark, NJ, is scheduled for 11:30 am, with live stats and video available on montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
On Wednesday afternoon, the Red Hawks (15-6) fell to Desales 12-10 in their non-conference finale. Montclair State had the bases loaded with two down in the ninth and could not find a hit to prolong the inning. PETER COSENTINO had five RBI and a home run, while JOE NORTON collected three hits from his leadoff spot.

TEAM LEADERS
Montclair State
Batting Average: JORDEN JURKIEWICZ, .473
Hits: JORDEN JURKIEWICZ, 35
Doubles: JOE NORTON, 11
Runs: PETER COSENTINO, 29
Home Runs: JORDEN JURKIEWICZ, 8
RBI: PETER COSENTINO, 36
Wins: PATRICK CUCCURULLO, 3
Strikeouts: PATRICK CUCCURULLO, 31

Rutgers-Newark
Batting Average: Robert Gonzalez, .396
Hits: Robert Gonzalez, 21
Doubles: Four Tied with 5
Home Runs: Chris Suleski, 2
Runs: Robert Gonzalez, 23
RBI: Ryan Lebow, 17
Wins: Four Tied with 2
Strikeouts: Colin Thompson, 25

SCOUTING THE SCARLET RAIDERS
The Scarlet Raiders are 10-6 on the season and had their two-game winning streak snapped by Stevens Wednesday, falling 7-5. They won five of their six games on the season, including a doubleheader sweep of St. Joseph's Brooklyn on March 5.

SERIES HISTORY
Montclair State holds a 91-20-2 edge in the all-time series, including two wins last season. The two wins in 2021 snapped a five-game losing skid dating back to 2017. The Red Hawks won 23 straight games from 1966-to 1986, with their largest margin of victory coming in a 26-2 win in 1979.

LAST MEETING
The Red Hawks cruised to a 15-0 triumph over Rutgers-Newark in their last meeting on April 18, 2021. E.J. MELENDEZ gained the win, throwing six innings of three-hit ball, while Peterson Cosentino was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks resume NJAC play Thursday as they visit Ramapo College for a 3:30 pm matchup.

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Players Mentioned

#31 E.J. Melendez: P; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#27 Peter Cosentino: IF; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#40 Patrick Cuccurullo: P; 5' 9"; Junior; L/L

#9 Joe Norton: IF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

#21 Jorden Jurkiewicz: OF/C; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#31 E.J. Melendez
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: P

#27 Peter Cosentino
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#40 Patrick Cuccurullo
: 5' 9"; Junior; L/L
: P

#9 Joe Norton
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#21 Jorden Jurkiewicz
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF/C