EWING, N.J. – Behind a steady offensive performance and a quality start from senior Jackson Malouf, the third-seeded TCNJ baseball team took down fourth-seeded Montclair State, 8-5, in the opening round of the NJAC Tournament on Thursday afternoon at George Ackerman Park. With the win against the Red Hawks (24-15-1), the Lions (24-15-1) advance to face second-seeded Rowan on Saturday night at Montclair State.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the second, the Lions took control in the fourth with a three-run inning. Gianni Marano led off with a double to left-center before Ryan Goodall reached on an error to put runners on the corners. A fielder's choice and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, setting up Zach Hochheiser to tie the game with an RBI single to right. Two batters later, Andrew Fernandez ripped a two-run double into the right-center gap, putting TCNJ ahead 3-1.

In the sixth, Justin Marcario singled, and Fernandez was intentionally walked. Brian Lovaglio then delivered a two-out, two-run double to left-center to stretch the lead to 5-1.

The Lions tacked on three more runs in the seventh. Jack O'Donnell led off with his 100th career hit, followed by a single from Goodall. Marcario then recorded his 200th career hit with an RBI single through the right side, scoring O'Donnell. Hochheiser added an RBI single, and Tyler Provost capped the inning with an RBI double to make it 8-1.

Montclair State mounted a late push, scoring four runs in the eighth on five hits and a pair of errors to trim the deficit to 8-5. Evan Frank was called upon to get the final six outs, and the junior right-hander delivered, tossing two scoreless innings to earn his second save of the year and secure the Lions' first postseason win of 2025.

Malouf improved to 6-2 on the season, going seven-plus innings and allowing four earned runs on seven hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. 

STANDOUT LIONS
Malouf (W, 6-2): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R (4 ER), 3 BB, 2 K
Frank (S, 2): 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K
Marcario: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI – 200th career hit
O'Donnell: 1-for-4, R – 100th career hit
Fernandez: 1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI, HBP, BB
Lovaglio: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Hochheiser: 2-for-2, 2 R, RBI, HBP
Provost: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI

UP NEXT
The Lions return to action Saturday, May 3, for a second-round NJAC Playoff showdown with No. 2 seed Rowan. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. at Montclair State.