Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State baseball team (12-6) opened up the MSU Round Robin when they outdueled Lesley for its fifth-straight win, 13-9
How It Happened

• The Red Hawks wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. ZACH STEARNS walked and advanced to third on a MARCUS JOHNSON single. A sacrifice fly by Matt Shuet plated Stearns, with Johnson advancing to second on the throw. BILLY TIGAR then drove in Johnson with an RBI single up the middle. CHASE FISCHER followed with a single to left, moving Tigar to second. Both runners advanced on a balk before a wild pitch allowed Tigar to score. The final run of the inning came when Murphy walked and executed a double steal with Fischer, who stole home.
• Montclair extended its lead to 5-0 in the second on a Johnson RBI single before Lesley responded with a two-RBI single to right field, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
• In the third, Fischer led off with a double to center and advanced to third on a passed ball. A sacrifice fly by MILES FEASTER plated Fischer, and a bases-loaded walk later in the inning made it 7-2. The lead grew to 8-2 in the fourth when a balk allowed Tigar to score from third.
• Lesley fought back in the fifth, scoring on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to center, trimming the lead to 8-4.
• Montclair answered in the seventh with another offensive surge. Fischer led off with a double to right-center and later scored on a bunt single paired with a throwing error. BRODY DIERS walked, and after LUKAS EGENHAUSER advanced both runners, JARED LEVIS laced an RBI double down the left-field line. Stearns followed with an RBI groundout, pushing the lead to 11-4.
• The Lynx refused to go quietly, scoring four runs in the eighth to make it 11-8. However, Fischer provided some late insurance, blasting a two-run homer over the left-field fence to give Montclair a 13-8 cushion.
• Lesley managed one more run in the ninth, but Montclair secured the necessary outs to seal the win.

Inside the Numbers

• Fischer had a career performance, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and scoring four runs. Three of his four hits went for extra bases.
• Levis, Johnson, and Tigar each had multi-hit games, collecting two hits apiece.
• Montclair was aggressive on the basepaths, stealing six bases in the game.
• EVAN WOOD earned the win, pitching five innings while allowing four runs on five hits and striking out three.
• CHRIS HASTINGS struck out three in two innings of relief, while JAKE SMITH made his season debut, earning the save with 1.2 innings pitched, allowing one run on three hits.

From the Diamond

• Quote to be added.

Up Next

• Montclair State continues the MSU Round Robin on Saturday, March 22, facing Christopher Newport at 2:00 p.m.