UNION, NJ – An error on the first play of the game proved to be the decisive factor as Rutgers-Newark fell, 2-1 in 15 innings, to Montclair State in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship tournament in Jim Hynes Stadium.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Senior righthander Ryan Williams could have earned the victory in regulation, but he gutted up 10-2/3 innings of four-hit pitching to put the Raiders in position for the victory after a first inning error gave the Red Hawks their first run. He struck out eight and walked four while tossing 146 pitches.

Sophomore closer Matt Larangera (2-1) came on to get a ground ball out with two out and two on in the 11th and kept MSU off the board until the 15th. He struck out three and walked one in 4-1/3 innings, but both of his hits allowed came in the 15th.

It was the longest game of the season for the Raiders who downed DeSales, 10-8, in 13 innings earlier this season.

Red Hawk centerfielder Michael Boggi slapped a single to right to plate senior second baseman Andrew Himmelfarb in the top of the 15th. Himmelfarb singled to left centerfield to start the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by leftfielder Mickey McGraw and advanced to third on a ground ball to second before Boggi's clean single into short rightfield.

The Red Hawks (20-16) got an unearned run in the first when McGraw reached on an infield error and scored on a two-out double to left centerfield by catcher Kevin Bond.

The Raiders leveled the score in the third. Senior rightfielder Michael Cassese walked and was sacrificed to second by senior second baseman Matt Connors. Senior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer doubled to left field to bring Cassese home.

Rutgers-Newark left the bases loaded in the 13th and stranded two runners in the 14th. The Red Hawks left a man at third in the 12th in the 3-hour, 39-minute marathon.

The Raiders were eliminated from the playoff with the loss while the Red Hawks advanced immediately to an elimination game against second-seeded Rowan. The Profs fell, 5-4, to top-seeded Kean in the opening game of today's 3-game set.

The winner of the Montclair State and Rowan showdown advances to tomorrow's championship bracket against Kean. The Red Hawks or Profs would have to down the Cougars twice to claim the NJAC title and the league's automatic berth to the NCAA D-III Championship Tournament.

Rutgers-Newark awaits a probable bid to the ECAC Metro Championship Tournament on Monday with play beginning on Wednesday.