Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (15-12, 6-3 NJAC) split a doubleheader with Montclair State (24-6, 6-3 NJAC) on Saturday afternoon. The Red Hawks, ranked #8 nationally, took game one by a score of 11-4, before the Ospreys walked off game two 6-4.
Tucker Elder (Ewing/Ewing) hit the game winning two run homer in the bottom of the ninth in game two for the split.
In the opener it was all Red Hawks as the visitors scored the first 10 runs, six courtesy of three hits and two home runs by Sam Angelo, before Stockton got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. Two walks and a wild pitch put runners at second and third, setting up a rare two-RBI sacrifice fly by
Tony Gatti (Howell/Howell) that scored both runners to slice the lead to 10-2.
Montclair State added a single run in the top of the ninth as Stockton scored twice to set the final score at 11-4.
The nightcap saw a pitching duel between Micheal Timberlake and Stockton's
Stephen DeMilio (Tuckerton/Pinelands Regional). Both hurlers allowed just one run through the first five frames until
Max Kaplan (Wall/Wall) smashed his third home run of the year for a slim 2-1 lead after six innings.
Dylan Sakele (Rumson/Rumson-Fair Haven) came on in relief of DeMilio in the seventh and pitched his way out of a two on, no out jam to preserve the lead. The Ospreys tacked on a pair of runs in their half of the frame on a single by
Russell Halvorsen (Howell/Howell) and four consecutive batters hit by pitch for a 4-1 lead after seven innings.
The Red Hawks would climb back to knot the contest at 4-4 with three runs in the final two innings, setting up Elder's heroics in the home half of the ninth. With two out, Kaplan walked before Elder smashed his fourth round-tripper of the year to give Stockton the dramatic 6-4 win and a split of the twinbill.
Reece Miller (Tome River/Toms River East) picked up his second win of the season in relief.
Stockton will have a quick turnaround as they will face #17 The College of New Jersey in a makeup from Friday's rainout. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm.