LITTLE FALLS, NJ – Rutgers-Newark averted its first shutout loss of the season, but Montclair State stormed to a 12-1 win in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game in Yogi Berra Stadium. 

NCAA Box Score & Play-by-Play

The Scarlet Raiders (12-7, NJAC 3-2) and Red Hawks (9-9, NJAC 3-1) were deadlocked going into the bottom of the fourth when two infield errors, two singles, two walks and a balk combine to boost MSU into a 5-0 lead. 

Senior starter Kevin Matawa (1-1) weathered the uprising only to allow a two-run homer by first baseman Scott Evangelist in the sixth before junior reliever John Kuder was greeted to the game by a solo home run by designated hitter Kevin Bond. Matawa gave up four earned runs and allowed five hits while striking out two in 4-1/3 innings. 

MSU tacked on a run in the sixth on three singles against Kuder, posted one run against freshman Connor Medler in the seventh on a hit batter and two singles, and closed out with two runs on a pair of singles and a double in the eighth against junior Joshua Kabrel. 

In the seventh, Rutgers-Newark loaded the bases on a walk to sophomore rightfielder Steve Giordano, a single by sophomore second baseman Matt Connorsand an infield error off the bat of senior leftfielder Brian Gill. A one-out sacrifice fly by junior designated hitter Anthony Yeswita prevented the Raiders from suffering their first shutout loss of the season. 

MSU starter Nick Recchia (1-0) shackled the Raiders, throwing scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out four. 

Connors, who was the only Raider with two hits, led off the fifth inning with a double to post Rutgers-Newark's only extra base hit. 

Shortstop Jay Bionde and third baseman Zachary Brown were the only Red Hawks with two hits in the 14-hit attack. 

The Raiders host William Paterson at 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Rutgers-Camden in a doubleheader at noon on Saturday in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.