Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Baseball team completed a series sweep of UMass Dartmouth on Saturday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium, taking both ends of a doubleheader.

The Red Hawks (3-0) raced to a 16-6 seven-inning victory in game one and used a late surge to seal the nightcap, taking game two 10-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• Montclair placed the first three batters of the day on base to begin the home half of the first, with ZACH STEARNS breaking the scoring open with a double to left field to bring in two runs. After a hit batter, MATT KALISKE ripped a single to right field to plate two more markers to double the advantage. A bases-loaded walk followed by a hit batter notched another pair of runs for the Red Hawks, who utilized a sacrifice fly from MICHAEL WANSAW JR. to nudge the gap to seven with two outs.
• During the next at-bat, BILLY TIGAR ripped a double to left field to add two more runs to the home lead, kicking off a stretch of four consecutive doubles for the Red Hawks, all driving in runs to make the score 12-0. After another sequence that featured a walk and hit batter, LUKAS EGENHAUSER reached on a fielder's choice that included an error by the second baseman to bring in the final pair of runs in what was a 14-run inning on seven hits for Montclair.
• The Corsairs notched their first run of the day in the third frame on a double down the left field line, but the Red Hawks answered with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth. After CHRIS GONZALO was hit by a pitch, Egenhauser singled to left field during the next at-bat, with both runners advancing on a wild pitch to place two in scoring position with no outs. JARED LEVIS put a run on the board with a sacrifice fly, and Wansaw doubled to plate Egenhauser for the 16th run of the day. 
• UMass Dartmouth trimmed into the margin during the top of the fifth, starting off with a RBI double after a leadoff walk. Another double, coupled with a single down the left field line, made the home lead 12. Later in the stanza, a ground out drove in the fifth run for the Corsairs, who got one more on a fielder's choice to make the score 16-6. COLIN BERNHARD punched out three batters over the final two frames to seal the victory in the day's opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• EVAN WOOD put together a strong performance on the mound, striking out three batters in the top of the first to pave the way for another high offensive output in the opening frame for the Red Hawks. After back-to-back walks, Tigar was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Stearns, who drew another walk to bring home the game's first run. CHASE FISCHER and Kaliske followed that up with walks of their own to make the score 3-0, forcing a pitching change from the visitors. A groundout coming out of the stoppage made the gap four after one inning of play.
• After Wood retired the side in order, Tigar tripled to center field in the home half of the second to drive in Wansaw to push the lead to five. The Corsairs got on the board in the third on a balk, with Wood ending a potential rally with a strikeout with two runners in scoring position. UMass Dartmouth got within three the following stanza with a double to center after a leadoff single through the left side. 
• The visitors continued to creep back into the contest with a leadoff home run in the fifth, putting the next batter on base with a walk. Wood once again stood strong, striking out two of the next three while retiring all three batters to get out of the inning. He capped off his day in the sixth by inducing a pop-up in foul territory with two runners on. 
• Montclair blew the game open in the seventh, as they loaded the bases with one out for Fischer, who flied out to right field to bring in Tigar. After Stearns stole second and Kaliske walked, JAXON GRANT notched a two strike, two out pinch-hit single to left field to drive in a pair of runs. With two runners in scoring position shortly after, DYLAN BRIGGS singled to left field for the game's final two markers. CHUCK ENNIS set down six of the next seven batters to help the Red Hawks complete the opening weekend sweep of the Corsairs.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Stearns and Kaliske compiled two hits, two walks, and four runs batted in each to lead the way offensively for the Red Hawks across the two contests.
• Tigar totaled a team-best three hits while plating three runs in the process. Fischer also notched three RBI on a pair of hits for the day. 
• Levis and Wansaw each drove in two runs, with Egenhauser picking up a multi-hit day while bringing in a run of his own.
• CHRIS MATESIC recorded the win in his collegiate debut, amassing four innings and striking out three batters in the opener. Bernhard notched his first career save, tossing the final three frames while punching out four at the plate and allowing just one hit.
• Wood was stellar in game two, spanning six innings and striking out a career-high 12 batters. He became the first Red Hawk to strike out ten or more batters since PATRICK CUCCURULLO on April 4, 2025 against William Paterson. The six innings also marked a new best for his Montclair tenure.
• Ennis brought the Red Hawks the rest of the way, throwing the final three innings. The sophomore did not allow a run and struck out four en route to his first collegiate save.
• For the day, Montclair totaled 26 runs on 15 hits while compiling 13 walks. During game two, they commanded the basepaths with five stolen bases.
• The Red Hawks have opened the season with three-straight victories in three of the last four seasons. Montclair is 66-19 at Yogi Berra Stadium since the beginning of the 2022 season.

FROM THE BALLPARK

"Happy to complete the weekend with a pair of wins. I thought we were able to capitalize when we needed to offensively. Big hit by JAXON GRANT with two strikes and two outs to open up the second game. We got solid starts in both games, congratulations to CHRIS MATESIC on his first collegiate victory. EVAN WOOD was great in game two and recorded some big outs to help us get the victory." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will continue its season-opening eight-game homestand against Maritime on Wednesday, February 25. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 PM.