Montclair, NJ – The #17/18 Montclair State University baseball team travels to face Rutgers-Newark in a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

GAME INFO
First pitch from Newark, NJ is scheduled for 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM, with live stats and video links available on montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
Montclair surged past New Jersey City University 12-5 on Friday, April 19. The Red Hawks took the lead on the first at-bat of the contest, as SAM ANGELO sent a leadoff home run to right center. NJCU immediately answered with three runs of their own in the first, but the Red Hawks countered with five runs in the second. After consecutive throwing errors plated two runs, the visitors drove in two more on a MILES FEASTER RBI single and RYAN MCKENNA sacrifice fly. Montclair outscored NJCU 6-2 over the rest of the contest to seal the road victory. JACK HAVESON matched his season-high with eight innings pitched while striking out five batters. The Red Hawks outhit the Gothic Knights 12-4 with five extra-base hits, and recorded double-digit run totals for the 12th time this season.

TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (25-8, 7-5 NJAC)
On-Base Percentage: SAM ANGELO, .521
Hits: SAM ANGELO, 61
Doubles: SAM ANGELO, 12
Runs: SAM ANGELO, 40
Home Runs: SAM ANGELO, 17
RBI: SAM ANGELO, 55
Stolen Bases: REECE MALEK, 11
Innings Pitched: JACK HAVESON, 50.0
Strikeouts: MICHAEL TIMBERLAKE, 50
 
RUTGERS-NEWARK (16-16, 1-11 NJAC)
On-Base Percentage: Paul Recchia, .447
Hits: Eric Recchia, 44
Doubles: Matthew Storch, 17
Runs: Eric Recchia, 39
Home Runs: Eric Recchia, 8
RBI: Two Tied at 28
Stolen Bases: Two Tied at 6
Innings Pitched: Vince Taylor, 45.2
Strikeouts: Chase Ostrowski, 34

SCOUTING RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders enter Saturday's twinbill with a 16-16 mark on the 2024 campaign, including a 1-11 record in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. They opened their season with losses in three of their first five games, but bounced back with six consecutive victories, including five at the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational. After falling to Keystone College to wrap up thor Florida slate, Rutgers-Newark returned north and won five-straight and seven out of eight to conclude their nonconference slate. They opened NJAC play with 10-straight losses before taking down William Paterson 10-4 for their first conference victory. The Pioneers defeated the Scarlet Raiders 11-3 in their most recent contest on Friday, April 19. Rutgers-Newark went 26-11-1 during the 2023 season, narrowly missing out on the NJAC Tournament with a 5-12-1 mark. The Scarlet Raiders were tabbed ninth in the 2024 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

SERIES HISTORY
Montclair leads the all-time series with Rutgers-Newark 94-21-1 dating back to 1938, with both sides claiming five of the last 10 meetings. The Red Hawks have won three-straight contests at Newark, outscoring the Scarlet Raiders 26-14. Montclair is 29-9 all-time in road contests versus Rutgers-Newark and has eclipsed double-digit run totals in three of the last six overall games against the Scarlet Raiders.

LAST MEETING
Montclair split a doubleheader with Rutgers-Newark on April 2, 2023 at Yogi Berra Stadium. The Red Hawks claimed game one 13-4 behind three hits from RYAN MCKENNA and ZACH STEARNS. Every starter had at least one hit in the opening contest, as PATRICK CUCCURULLO threw six innings and struck out five batters and MICHAEL TIMBERLAKE got the final nine outs for his first career save. Montclair fell 9-7 in 10 innings in game two despite three hits from both MILES FEASTER and SAM ANGELO. After falling behind 6-1 in the fourth inning, Montclair scored a run in six consecutive innings to force extra innings, but conceded two in the top of the 10th to allow the Scarlet Raiders to come away with a split.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will return home to host Rutgers-Camden on Thursday, April 25. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is slated for 3:30 PM.