DeSales University Bulldogs (8-9) defeated the Montclair State Red Hawks (15-6), 12-10, Wednesday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair, NJ.
This pitching matchup featured Bulldogs freshman Mike Romano (1-0) defeating Red Hawks sophomore Matthew Tiplady (1-1).
The Bulldogs came out the gate, bats blazing and ready to dash. As freshman Gabe Diaz leadoff with a ground-on single, he advanced on a wild pitch from Montclair. Montclair has conceded over 30 wild pitches this season which is on pace for a new team record. This sets up Bulldogs freshman Patrick Gusters for a deep double to start the part for DeSales. After that, senior Trevor Leamer got a free two bases after he was hit by a Tiplady pitch and then advanced on yet another wild pitch. After a man walked on, Junior Joe Grigas IV batted in all the runners on base and gave that early cushion DeSales could latch onto.
After Montclair did nothing early on, they went to Seinor Justin Silva to lead off the second inning. Silva did alright as he allowed Gabe Diaz to single, and then Diaz was able to steal second setting up senior Trevor Leamer with the RBI single. This extended the DeSales lead to 5-0 early on. In a similar situation in the following inning, the Bulldogs were able to load up the bases from steals and walks. This only netted them one run as Patrick Gusters got caught on a fielder’s choice. The bulldogs lead extended to six.
With DeSales subbing in Freshman Alex Chase to pitch, this gave the Red Hawks an opportunity to refresh and tee off on a new face on the mound. Senior Joe Norton started the party with a nice double shot and then Peter Cosentino and Jorden Jurkiewich added with hits of their own. Montclair finally got a wild pitch to go their way granting an advancement for the runners which cut the lead down from six to four. A couple sacrifice flies were able to bring home Jurkiewich and Cosentino which gave the Red Hawks four runs total in the third. After the Red Hawks sent in Seinor Alec Benzinger to pitch in the fourth, he eventually conceded two runs after Seinor’s Leamer and Billy Scanlon applied pressure early with two base hits. The Red Hawks trailed 8-4 at this point.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Red Hawks were able to replicate what just happened as Norton, junior Ryan McKenna, and Senior Anthony Guariano loaded the bases. Peter Costentino came in fresh off a double and doubled up on his previous attempt, grand slamming the ball over the fence and tying up the game, 8-8.
After a Brian Scanlon homer in the sixth, the bulldogs were still ahead by one late. In the eighth, Leamer and Kusters were able to get on base and Senior Robert Lamm batted in both of them to give DeSales the 11-8 lead. This was too much for Montclair to overcome as they made a run in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two scores coming off of walks, but with two outs already on the board, a groundout sealed the deal for the Bulldogs as they took this contest 12-10.
What's Next For DeSales and Montclair
The Montclair State Red Hawks snap their four game win streak as they look to rebound Saturday as they travel to Newark to take on Rutgers-Newark (10-6). DeSales will hit the road quickly as they travel to Pennsylvania to take on Delaware Valley University (7-9) on Friday evening.
- Montclair State falls to Hamilton in Division III NCAA Tournament - March 5, 2023
- Montclair State knocks out NJCU to advance to NJAC semi-finals - February 19, 2023
- Montclair Hangs On for Victory Over Kean Cougars - February 11, 2023
