MONTCLAIR, N.J. — The New Jersey City University (NJCU) baseball team dropped a 6-1 decision to Montclair State University (MSU) in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action Thursday at Yogi Berra Stadium.

NJCU (8-20-1, 1-10 NJAC) was narrowly outhit, 8-7, by Montclair State (24-7, 8-3 NJAC), but the Red Hawks capitalized on timely hitting and took advantage of the game's lone error to secure the conference victory. Montclair State produced a double, triple and home run, along with three sacrifice hits, two sacrifice flies and a stolen base.

Brandon Piacenza (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) drove in the Gothic Knights' lone run, while Nick Vaughn (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and scored NJCU's only run.

Justin Foy (Perth Amboy, N.J./Perth Amboy) (0-2) made the start on the mound for NJCU, working 2.0 innings and allowing three runs on three hits. The Gothic Knights utilized a bullpen combination of Derek Bauernschmidt (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park), Jeffrey Osborne (Spotswood, N.J./Spotswood), Dovid Solomon (Alon Shvut, Israel/Yeshiva Torah and Artzeinu) and Yannid Narvaez (Cartago, Costa Rica/International Christian Academy) over the final six innings.

Montclair State was paced offensively by Lukas Egenhauser, who drove in two runs, while Danny O'Brien and John Tomsho each recorded multi-hit games. Six different Red Hawks crossed the plate in a balanced offensive effort.

Brendan Roche (1-0) earned the win for Montclair State, delivering 6.1 strong innings. He allowed one run on six hits while striking out four and limiting NJCU's scoring opportunities through the middle innings.

After a scoreless first inning, Montclair State broke through in the bottom of the second, stringing together three hits — including a double and a triple — to take a 2-0 lead. The Red Hawks added another run in the third, capitalizing on two walks and a sacrifice bunt to extend the advantage to 3-0.

Montclair State increased its lead to 4-0 in the fourth, scoring an unearned run following NJCU's lone defensive miscue. The Red Hawks continued to build momentum in the fifth with a solo home run to left field, pushing the margin to 5-0.

NJCU mounted its best threat in the seventh inning. Vaughn led off with a single up the middle, and Collin Elam (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) and Travis Evernham (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) followed with consecutive hits to load the bases. Piacenza then brought Vaughn home after being hit by a pitch, trimming the deficit to 5-1.

Montclair State answered in the bottom half of the inning with a sacrifice fly to account for the final margin. NJCU managed just one hit over the final two innings, a single by Frandi Yunior Mosquea Mesa (Dominican Republic/Maple Mountain UT), as the Red Hawks closed out the contest.

UP NEXT:
The two teams will meet again Friday, April 17, when NJCU hosts Montclair State at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.