Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University baseball team swept Trinity College (CT) in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Red Hawks cruised past the Bantams 17-6 in the opener, and claimed a 1-0 pitcher's duel in the second game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-1) started game one strong with a 1-2-3 top of the first, and tallied two runs in the bottom of the frame on a double from SAM ANGELO and a single from JASON MOORE. Angelo homered to right center in the third to increase the margin to three. After a leadoff walk the next frame, the Bantams reduced the deficit to one on a two-run home run.
• Montclair answered with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth, a push that was kicked off by an RBI single from JOE GISONDA. The Red Hawks tacked on two more runs courtesy of a throwing error and an RBI single from MARCUS JOHNSON. MILES FEASTER cranked a three-run home run, and JOE GISONDA hit a bases-clearing triple to increase the advantage to double-digits.
• Angelo homered a second time in the fifth to make the score 14-2, and REECE MALEK drove in a tally in the sixth on a single to increase the lead to 13. Montclair brought in its final two runs of the contest on a single to right field by JARED LEVIS.
• The Bantams pushed three markers home in top of the ninth on three consecutive plays, but grounded into a double play to end game one.
• In a low-scoring affair in game two, MICHAEL TIMBERLAKE struck out three over the first two innings. The Red Hawks threatened in the second with runners on first and second, but Trinity was able to escape the jam with a strikeout.
• After stranding two on base in the third, Timberlake retired the side in order in the following frame, including two more punch-outs. The sophomore stranded a runner on second in the fifth, and retired six straight over the next two innings to finish his day.
• The Red Hawks struck for the only run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh, as Gisonda doubled to center field to drive in Moore from first base. JACK HAVESON entered the game in relief, retiring six of the eight batters he faced, striking out two in each inning to record the save.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Montclair has won 12 consecutive games, which is the longest winning streak since the 2001 season. Their 12-1 record marks the best start through 13 games in program history, surpassing the mark of 11-2 set in both 1966 and 1967.
• The Red Hawks have outscored opponents 102-36 over that span and have recorded double-digit hit totals in six of their last seven games. Montclair has collected 95 hits since March 4.
• The shutout in game two marked the second of the season for the Red Hawks and first since February 24 against Mount Aloysius.
• Angelo finished game one with four hits and four RBI to go along with his two home runs. He has homered seven times over Montclair's last six contests, totaling 18 runs batted in during that stretch.
• After reaching base safely in each game of the twinbill, Angelo increased his on-base streak to 39 consecutive games, dating back to March 24, 2023. He has tallied a hit in 11 of Montclair's 13 contests this season.
• Gisonda finished with five hits and five RBI over both games. As a team, the Red Hawks finished with a season-high 20 hits in game one with 12 different student-athletes reaching base safely.
• MATT PONTARI garnered the win in game one with five and a third innings pitched. TOBY SMITH threw his longest appearance of the season in relief, going two and two thirds.
• Timberlake finished with a career-high 11 strikeouts over seven innings pitched, marking the most punch-outs by a Montclair pitcher since March 24, 2023, when Pontari recorded 11 against Franklin & Marshall. 
• The game two performance from Timberlake marked the fifth time this season in which a Montclair pitcher recorded six or more shutout innings. He has done it in back-to-back contests.

FROM THE FIELD

"After one of our best offensive performances of the year, you know the next game will be tough, and it was. What a big time job from [Michael] Timberlake and [Jack] Haveson." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will remain home to take on Stevens on Sunday, March 17. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 PM.