Mahwah, NJ: The Ramapo College baseball team played host to the Red Hawks of Montclair State University today at Jeff Maund Field in a NJAC match-up. Ramapo posted a 24-7 loss falling to 15-15 overall, 3-9 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference while Montclair improves to 15-10-2 overall, 8-3 in the conference.

In the 1st inning the Red Hawks jumped out ahead, 2-0 after Lou Politan (Livingston, NJ) reached on a fielder's choice, Brian Butler (Wyckoff, NJ) was hit by a pitch, and Rob Bowness (Sparta, NJ) walked to load the bases. With one out, Andrew Vicaro (Randolph, NJ) struck out looking and Danny Rodriguez (South Brunswick, NJ) followed with the third walk on the inning to bring home Politan. Sophomore pitcher Florian Wouters (Ramsey, NJ) walked in a second run to fall behind, 2-0 after one.

Montclair scored seven runs on three hits and two Ramapo errors in the 3rd inning. Rodriguez was hit by a pitch and Scott Evangelist (Northfield, NJ) and Mark DeCastro (Hadden Heights, NJ) both walked to load the bases with two outs. Kevin Cuozzi (Langhorne, PA) singled to bring in two runs and Ryan Clark (Livingston, NJ) reached on an error to score the third. Politian then walked to load the bases once again for Montclair and Bulter ripped a triple to right center field to clear the bases. Bowness then reached on the second Ramapo error of the inning, scoring Butler to take a 7-2 lead.

Ramapo answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the 3rd inning when Greg Smith (Brick, NJ) and Gary Miller (Turnersville, NJ) both singled to get on base and Tim Gaven (Union, NJ) reached on an error to load the bases. Mike Frank (Belleville, NJ) drove a RBI groundout to plate Smith and Miller raced home scoring on a pass ball by Montclair.

In the top of the 4th inning the Red Hawks posted one run as Cuozzi tripled to right field scoring DeCastro who walked earlier in the inning to get on base. The Roadrunners scored one run in their half of the inning as Gaven hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Justin Rabinowitz (Martinsville, NJ) who walked to lead off.

The Red Hawks put four more runs on the board in the 6th inning when Vicaro led off with a solo home run over the left field wall and Scott Evangelis (Northfield, NJ) singled to left field and DeCastro was hit by a pitch before Clark drove home one run of his own. Politan then smashed a triple scoring two more. The Red Hawks scored nine runs on six hits and one Ramapo error in the 7th inning running away with the 24-7 win.

Ramapo tacked on their remaining runs in the bottom of the 7th and 9th. Rabinowitz singled to center field and scored when Jordan Descafano (Toms River, NJ) doubled to center field in the 7th and Gino Gallagher (Cedar Grove, NJ), Jordan Descafano (Toms River, NJ), and Miller each touched the plate in the 9th closing the gap.

Montclair's Tim Stringer (Annandale, NJ) gets the win pitching four innings with five strikeouts and four walks jumping to 2-4 on the year. Wouters takes the loss falling to 2-3 striking out three and walking eight in 2 2/3 innings.

Politan went 2-3 with two runs and two RBI while Cuozzi posted two hits on seven at bats with two runs and four RBI. Thomas Meyer (West Milfford, NJ) and Charles Caglio (Parsippany, NJ) posted a combined four hits on six at bats with three RBI and three runs scored. Ramapo's Descafano went 3-3 with one run and one RBI in the loss while Miller hit 2-3 with two runs and two RBI.

The Roadrunners return to action on Thursday, April 20th when they host New Jersey City at 3:30 PM.