Union, NJ … A pair of four-run innings led Montclair State University to an 11-4 win over The College of New Jersey in the opening round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship tournament.
 
The second-seeded Lions (28-9) will travel to top-seeded Kean University (24-15) tomorrow for a 3:30 p.m. start. The Cougars lost their opener to William Paterson University, 5-3.
 
Trailing 4-0 in the third, the Lions scratched out two runs to cut the deficit to 4-2. Junior Alex Christian (Milltown, NJ/Spotswood) singled to lead off the inning and junior CJ Gearhart (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Mike Follet (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and a balk forced in Christian. Junior Ben Varone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) followed with a ground out to third.
 
In the third, senior Garen Turner (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) stroked a single up the middle with one out. Sophomore Zachary Shindler (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) followed with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right to tie the score, 4-4.
 
The Red Hawks, however, responded with a run in the fourth and four more in the fifth. MSU starting pitcher Donald Kusick was stingy from the third inning on, not allowing another run. He threw a complete game, struck out five, and walked none.
 
Matt Long had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with five runs batted in.
 
Turner, Christian, and Follet all finished with two hits for the Lions.