Little Falls, NJ (3/30/02) -- The Montclair State University softball team split its first New Jersey Athletic doubleheader of the 2002 campaign today at MSU's Quarry Field. Montclair State defeated Richard Stockton College, 2-1, in eight innings in the first game before falling, 3-0, in the second contest.

MSU is now 10-6 overall and 1-1 in the NJAC.

MSU freshman 3B KARI McDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ) singled home junior CF STEPHANIE ROMANKO (N. Brunswick, NJ) from third base for the winning run in Game One. Romanko had taken second base via tiebreaker rules, and then advanced to third base on a sacrifice-fielder's choice by senior 2B TARA GIALANELLA (Long Valley, NJ). Montclair senior pitcher TARA TODARO (Lodi, NJ) picked up her fourth win of the season, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out six batters.

MSU trailed, 1-0, after one inning but tied the game in the third on a run by junior catcher TONYA BARNES (Mechanicsville, VA) that was driven in by Red Hawk freshman LF MEGAN SWEENEY (Edison, NJ), who hit 2-for-3 in the opener.

The visiting Ospreys again took a 1-0 lead in the second game, stringing together three straight singles in the bottom of the first inning before senior OF GRETA HEINLY (Glen Riddle, PA) scored on an error with the bases loaded.

The score remained unchanged into the bottom of the fourth inning, as MSU sophomore pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) struck out the side in the fourth frame. Stockton later tacked on insurance runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, as senior pitcher ALISON BARBITO (Manahawkin, NJ) picked up her second victory of the spring, striking out four batters and scattering five hits while also retiring 14 of MSU's last 15 hitters, including 13 straight.

CRYSTAL SWEENEY fell to 6-3 on the year despite striking out four batters, allowing one walk and six hits.