Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University baseball team fell in a close battle to MIT on Friday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium, 5-3, in Day One of the MSU Invitational.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (7-6) received a strong opening start from EVAN WOOD, who retired eight of the nine batters he faced over the opening three innings of the contest. Montclair threatened in the first, as JARED LEVIS notched a leadoff walk and then advanced to third on a wild pitch and then a stolen base a few at-bats later. MIT was able to escape the jam with back-to-back strikeouts.
• MARCUS JOHNSON broke the scoring open in the third, as he sent a double into center field to plate Levis and ZACH STEARNS. The Engineers leveled the game the next stanza, as an error and passed ball put a runner on third which was driven in during the next at-bat. Back-to-back errors put a runner on third again, leading to an infield single to tie the game.
• MIT took the lead in the fifth, as back-to-back singles cleared two runners in scoring position to make the score 4-2. MICHAEL TODARO entered the game with the bases loaded and one out, but recorded a strikeout and flyout to end the frame. The Engineers put runners on second and third in the sixth, but Todaro once again shut the door with back-to-back punchouts.
• Stearns was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth, and Johnson reached on a bunt that advanced Stearns to third on a throwing error. JUSTIN KILYK was hit by a pitch during the next at-bat to load the bases, and Montclair was able to bring in a run on a double play to cut the margin to one.
• The Red Hawks tried to mount a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth, as MATT SHUHET notched a pinch hit single to left field and stole second to get into scoring position, but MIT recorded the final out of the day on a lineout to center field.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Johnson led the way for the Red Hawks with a pair of hits and runs batted in. He has driven in two or more runs in six of his 11 appearances this season and leads the team overall with 17.
• Wood accumulated four and a third innings pitched in his second start over his last three appearances. Todaro matched his career-high in strikeouts, as he punched out six over three and a third frames. He struck out six in his collegiate debut against Lehman on March 21, 2023.

FROM THE FIELD

"In order to win close games we need to minimize defensive mistakes because defense will win in the end." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will kick off Day Two of the MSU Invitational against #9 Salisbury on Saturday, March 15. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is scheduled for 11:30 AM.