Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Baseball team recorded its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2008, taking down Whitworth 10-5 on Friday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium to open their slate in the 2026 NCAA Division III Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (31-9) escaped an early threat from the Pirates in the opening frame, as COLIN DOWLEN worked around two runners in scoring position by inducing a flyout for the final out of the first. Montclair broke the scoring open right after, as ZACH STEARNS was bit by a pitch and CHASE FISCHER drew a walk to put a pair of Red Hawks on with only one out. A groundout moved both into scoring position, with DANNY O'BRIEN punching a single through the right side to plate a pair of tallies for the home side. Whitworth countered right away in the visiting half of the second, putting two in scoring position with a walk and hit batter, followed by a sacrifice bunt. A single up the middle during the ensuing at-bat brought in the equalizing pair of runs. 
• Montclair broke through in the bottom of the fifth, kicking off the stanza with a leadoff double from JARED LEVIS. Two at-bats later, Fischer ripped a single to third base that plated Levis from second base, with MATT KALISKE notching a hit through the left side to put a duo of runners on with one out. O'Brien came through with another crucial hit during the next at-bat, singling down the right field line to drive in Fischer to increase the lead back to two. Immediately after, JOHN TOMSHO slotted a single through the right side to plate another marker to make the score 5-2. Later in the inning, JAXON GRANT recorded a pinch hit single to center field to bring in the final run of the frame to make the difference four after five.
• An error to kick off the sixth placed a runner on second for Whitworth, as a wild pitch moved the runner to third with no outs. A sacrifice fly during the ensuing at-bat trimmed the deficit to 6-3, as Dowlen notched a strikeout and flyout to halt any potential rally from the Pirates. Whitworth continued their push into the seventh, using a ground-rule double to plate their fourth run of the day. Following a pitching change from the home side, the Pirates notched another sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one. Montclair answered right away in the home half of the seventh, as O'Brien recorded another key hit to leadoff the frame with a double down the right field line. DYLAN BRIGGS advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt, with MICHAEL WANSAW JR. driving in O'Brien on a sacrifice fly to budge the lead back to two.
• PATRICK TEEHAN entered the game in the top of the eighth, setting down the side in order 1-2-3 to set the stage for another big inning from the Red Hawks. With two outs, Stearns singled to center field and advanced to second on a wild pitch, with Fischer notching another walk to put a pair of runners on. Kaliske tallied an infield single to load the bases for O'Brien, who cleared the diamond on a double to right center to vault the Red Hawks in front, 10-5. Whitworth used back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth to threaten, but Teehan struck out the next batter and induced a ground ball to end the contest and seal the postseason victory for Montclair.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• O'Brien had a career day at the plate, going 5-for-5 with six runs batted in on a pair of extra-base hits. He has tallied eight games during his freshman campaign with three or more hits, driving in three or more runs in seven contests.
• Levis tallied a pair of hits for the day, reaching base safely in all 40 games this season. Wansaw extended his hitting streak to 13 games dating back to April 10, with Tomsho notching a hit in 26 of his 29 collegiate games.
• Kaliske registered his 15th multi-hit performance of the year, with Stearns tallying his 15th. Fischer and Grant each recorded a hit and run batted in during the contest.
• Dowlen notched his eighth victory of the season, tossing six and a third innings while striking out three batters. Teehan spun the final two frames of the afternoon for his seventh save of the year.
• The Red Hawks tallied 10 runs for the afternoon, marking the 22nd time this season that they have reached double-digit run totals. Montclair has amassed double-digit hits in 28 games this season.
• Montclair notched its 101st victory in the NCAA Division III Tournament and first since the 2008 campaign.
• Since the start of the 2020 campaign, the Red Hawks are 93-26 at Yogi Berra Stadium, including a 18-4 mark this year.

FROM THE FIELD

"Today was a great win for the program, getting our first Regional victory since 2008. Credit to our offensive, we put together a solid day at the plate, led by DANNY O'BRIEN. We will refocus for a tough test tomorrow against Endicott." - Head Coach Dave Lorber

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will take on Endicott on Saturday, May 16 in the winner's bracket portion of the 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament Montclair Regional. First pitch from Yogi Berra Stadium is scheduled for 2:30 PM.