MONTCLAIR, NJ – Rutgers-Newark split a doubleheader with NJAC foe Montclair State on Saturday.
Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 11, Montclair State 10
Rutgers-Newark pulled off a dramatic 11–10 extra-innings victory over Montclair State University in a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle at Yogi Berra Stadium. Montclair struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Rutgers-Newark quickly responded with a game-tying RBI single from
Gilroy Prial in the second. The Scarlet Raiders then exploded for four runs in the third, thanks to key hits from
Paul Recchia,
Eric Recchia,
Joseph Bernardo, and Prial again to grab a 5–1 lead.
Montclair stormed back in the fourth with a three-run inning and followed with a huge six-run fifth that featured a two-RBI single by C. Gonzalo, seizing a 10–7 lead. Refusing to back down, Rutgers-Newark chipped away at the deficit and tied the game in the eighth inning on a three-run rally, powered by RBI singles from
Matthew Storch and Bernardo. With both teams scoreless through the ninth and tenth innings, Rutgers-Newark finally broke through in the 11th with the go-ahead run when
Tommy Ruth hit a sacrifice fly to score
Eric Recchia.
Vince Taylor came in to close things out, securing his fifth win of the season and sealing a gritty victory for the Scarlet Raiders. Offensively, Rutgers-Newark pounded out 15 hits, led by Storch and Prial, who both had two hits and two RBIs.
Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 1, Montclair State 18
The Scarlet Raiders could not keep the momentum going into the second game. Montclair State University delivered a commanding 18–1 victory over Rutgers-Newark. This win improved the Red Hawks' record to 23–12 overall and 9–5 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), while the Scarlet Raiders fell to 15–19 and 7–7 in conference play.
Montclair State's offense ignited early, scoring seven runs in the first inning. The Red Hawks continued their offensive surge with two runs in the second and three in the third, establishing a 12–1 lead. They added three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, culminating in an 18-run performance on 12 hits. Rutgers-Newark's lone run came in the second inning, but they were held to just four hits overall.
C. Dowlen earned the win for Montclair State, improving his record to 4–2, while B. Portman took the loss for Rutgers-Newark, dropping to 1–2.
For the latest news, updates, and information on Rutgers-Newark sports, visit
rutgersnewarkathletics.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Scarlet Raiders news by following Rutgers-Newark Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
