Los Angeles, CA – The Montclair State University baseball team knocked off Occidental College 8-1 to complete a three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (9-1) got a solo home run from JOE GISONDA to lead off the top of the second to take an early advantage. MICHAEL TIMBERLAKE struck out three over the first three innings of his start, with no runner advancing past first base.
• Montclair threatened in the fourth with runners on second and third, but the Tigers were able to escape on a flyout to right field. With two runners on in the bottom of the stanza, Timberlake generated a 6-4-3 double play to shut down the Occidental rally.
• SAM ANGELO led off the fifth inning with a home run to left field, and JASON MOORE doubled to center field later in the frame to bring in two more tallies. MARCUS JOHNSON homered to right field in the sixth to make the score 5-0.
• With a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, Timberlake recorded another punch-out to keep Occidental off the scoresheet. Montclair added two more runs in the next inning, as MATT SHUHET scored following a throwing error and Johnson singled to right field to bring in MAX MCLOUGHLIN.
• The Tigers picked up their first run in the bottom of the eighth, but the Red Hawks added another back in the ninth as McLoughlin brought in Moore.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Red Hawks have won nine consecutive games, tying their season-high from the 2023 season. They have scored six or more runs in seven of those contests.
• Montclair has recorded a winning streak of nine games in each of the past three seasons.
• The Red Hawks completed a three-game series sweep of the Tigers, outscoring Occidental 30-12. It marked the first three-game series sweep for Montclair since the 2022 season, when it took down Catholic University while scoring 43 runs during the set.
• Montclair has recorded double-digit hits in four consecutive games, totaling 53 since Monday, March 4.
• Angelo and Johnson each homered three times in the series, with Angelo recording one in each contest. The home run for Gisonda marked his first of the campaign.
• Johnson recorded eight hits and nine RBI during the weekend set with the Tigers. 
• Timberlake finished with a career-high six shutout innings pitched, striking out four while allowing just two hits. He is the fourth pitcher this season for Montclair to throw six or more shutout innings in a game, joining JACK HAVESON, MATTHEW TIPLADY, and PATRICK CUCCURULLO. 

FROM THE FIELD

"Another strong pitching performance led us to a sweep. We look forward to enjoying our off day before facing a tough challenge on Tuesday." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will remain on the West Coast and take on University of Redlands on Tuesday, March 12. First pitch from Redlands, CA is scheduled for 5:00 PM Eastern Time.