Center Valley, PA – Surpassing the 20-hit mark for the second time this season, the #29 Montclair State University Baseball team took down DeSales 17-7 on Wednesday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (16-4) collected a pair of walks to kick off the day, with DANNY O'BRIEN breaking the scoring open with a single through the left side later in the frame that tallied a run. DeSales equalized in their half of the first on a single to left center and put two runners on with two outs, but could not take the lead. The Bulldogs used a solo home run in the third to go up 2-1, but the Red Hawks countered right away in the fourth, leveling the game on a single through the left side from LUKAS EGENHAUSER that plated JOEY NOLAN. After a sacrifice bunt from JARED LEVIS to place two runners in scoring position, ZACH STEARNS notched a bases-clearing double to vault Montclair in front by two.
• DeSales placed two runners in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt early in the fourth, leading to a hit to right field to cut the gap in half. After a hit batter loaded the bases, the Bulldogs used another hit to right field to plate a pair of runs and jump back in front. They added one final tally in the frame on a fielder's choice to flip the game in their favor. Montclair answered immediately again with an offensive explosion in the top of the fifth. O'Brien and JOHN TOMSHO notched back-to-back hits and MICHAEL WANSAW JR. loaded the bases on a walk for MATT KALISKE, who used a sacrifice fly to cut the game to one. During the next at-bat, Nolan ripped a home run to one of the deeper parts of the ballpark to push the visitors into the lead, 8-6.
• Montclair continued their rally in the fifth, as Egenhauser and Levis tallied a pair of hits leading to Stearns being hit by a pitch to load the bases for the second time in the inning. BILLY TIGAR plated the sixth run of the stanza on a sacrifice fly, with O'Brien ripping another RBI single immediately after to increase the lead to five for the visitors. DeSales chipped away at the difference in the home half of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with a sacrifice bunt after a walk and hit. During the ensuing at-bat, a single through the left side would drive in what would be the final run of the day for the Bulldogs.
• Wansaw doubled to right field to begin the sixth, and with two runners in scoring position shortly after, Egenhauser cleared the diamond with a hit to left field to add another pair of tallies to the scoreboard. With the bases loaded and two outs, O'Brien reached safely after being hit by a pitch to plate Egenhauser from third to make the score 14-7. In the seventh, Egenhauser recorded another hit that drove in Wansaw to keep the offensive showcase going. Later in the stanza, Stearns notched an RBI single of his own to tally the 16th run of the day for the Red Hawks, who added their final score of the day on a sacrifice fly from Wansaw in the eighth to seal the nonconference road victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Egenhauser had a career day at the plate, matching his career-high of four hits while driving in a new-best four runs. He has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games.
• Nolan also recorded new career-highs offensively, tallying a trio of hits and runs batted in. The home run marked the first of his collegiate career.
• O'Brien's three hits and three runs batted in marked the second time in his freshman season that he has collected those numbers in the same game.
• Stearns increased his hitting streak to seven games, finishing the day with two hits, three RBI, and two walks. 
• Tigar drove in multiple runs for the second consecutive contest and ninth time this season. He extended his hitting streak to 29 games dating back to April 18, 2025. During that stretch, he has amassed 56 hits and 46 RBI, leading the New Jersey Athletic Conference in both categories this season. 
• Wansaw notched his third performance of the season in which he tallied three or more hits. Tomsho pushed his hitting streak to 11 games, reaching base safely in all but one of his appearances for his freshman season.
• COLIN BERNHARD earned his first victory of the season on the mound, tossing the final four and two thirds of the afternoon, striking out a career-high six batters.
• Montclair matched its season-high of 21 hits, marking the second time this season they have surpassed 20 hits for a game. They have recorded double-digit hits in 15 contests while scoring 10 or more runs 13 times. Their 17 runs against DeSales were tied for their second-most this year.
• The Red Hawks have amassed 186 hits over their last 14 games, averaging 13 a game during that span.

FROM THE BALLPARK

"Another strong, well-rounded day at the plate today where everyone was able to contribute to the offense. Credit to JOEY NOLAN for being ready to go and having a great day swinging the bat. Happy to get another win as we will refocus and prepare to open NJAC play on the road Saturday." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will open NJAC play on Saturday, March 28, with a doubleheader at Stockton. First pitch from Galloway, NJ is scheduled for 11:30 AM.