Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University baseball team edged Centenary 8-6 on Wednesday afternoon for its fourth consecutive victory on Wednesday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (11-6) fell behind in the first inning, as the Cyclones took the lead on a double to right center that plated the leadoff hitter, who reached on a single to left field to begin the game. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third, and a sacrifice fly doubled the advantage for Centenary during the next at-bat.
• Montclair leveled the contest in the bottom half of the stanza, as ZACH STEARNS walked, leading to a double down the right field line by MARCUS JOHNSON to put two runners in scoring position for MATT SHUHET, who singled up the middle to tie the game at two.
• There was only one combined baserunner over the next two innings before Centenary reclaimed the lead in the fourth on a leadoff home run to left field. The Red Hawks tied the game in the same frame, as Shuhet doubled to right field and scored during the next at-bat, as BILLY TIGAR reached on a bunt single and took second on a throwing error which allowed Shuhet to score.
• The Red Hawks took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back hit batters put two runners on for Stearns, who used a sacrifice bunt to move both into scoring position. Johnson doubled to right field during the next at-bat to clear the bases and push the score to 5-3 in favor of Montclair.
• Centenary tied the game during the next inning, as they loaded the bases with three consecutive hit batters to begin the stanza. After a strikeout, the Cyclones brought in two runs on a walk and hit batter. MICHAEL TODARO entered the game in relief and punched out the final two batters to end the rally.
• The two sides continued to trade runs, as Montclair regained the lead in their half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from MILES FEASTER. Centenary answered right back in the top of the seventh, as they plated a runner from third on a throw down to second during a stolen base attempt.
• Stearns doubled to right center to kick off the seventh for the Red Hawks, and Johnson singled through the right side to put runners on the corners. Shuhet utilized a sacrifice fly to bring in Stearns to give Montclair the lead, and CHASE FISCHER doubled later in the frame to double the advantage, plating Johnson.
• Todaro struck out the first two batters of the eighth, and after the Cyclones put two runners in scoring position, he recorded an inning-ending strikeout to maintain the lead. PATRICK TEEHAN came into the game in the ninth, retiring three out of the four batters he faced to seal the victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Johnson led the way for Montclair with three hits and two runs batted in, marking his eighth multi-hit game of the season. He has driven in a run or more in four of Montclair's last five contests.
• Shuhet tallied a pair of hits and drove in three runs, setting a new career-high. He has brought home a run in each of the last four games for Montclair.
• Todaro notched the victory, striking out six over two and two thirds innings pitched. He has punched out 12 batters over his last two appearances.
• Teehan recorded his fifth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. He has not allowed an earned run across eight appearances and 14 and two thirds innings during the 2025 campaign. Teehan moved into a tie for sixth in program history for saves with Austin Minton and Marty Cabalar.
• Montclair has won four consecutive games, coming back to take the lead in all four in the seventh inning or later.

FROM THE FIELD

"Midweek baseball is all about grinding it out and finding a way to win. We look forward to another competitive weekend of good baseball back at Yogi this weekend." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will open the MSU Round Robin on Friday, March 21, against Lesley. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is scheduled for 2:00 PM.