Little Falls, NJ (4/13/02) - The Montclair State University softball team swept Kean University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader this afternoon at MSU's Quarry Field. Montclair took the opener by a 1-0 count, and then claimed a 6-2 decision in the nightcap. MSU is now 17-9 overall and 6-4 in NJAC play, while Kean falls to 11-18-1 overall and 4-6 in the conference.

The first game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Montclair sophomore shortstop DIANA AUTERI (Lyndhurst, NJ) and junior centerfielder STEPHANIE ROMANKO (N. Brunswick, NJ) strung together back-to-back singles. Auteri then scored from third base when junior catcher TONYA BARNES (Mechanicsville, VA) singled to right field, giving MSU the only run of the game.

The Red Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the rematch when freshman outfielder MEGAN SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) singled to left field, scoring both Romanko and freshman infielder KARI McDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ), who had both gotten on base via singles. Auteri then singled home senior infielder TARA GIALANELLA (Long Valley, NJ) in the second inning for a 3-0 MSU lead en route to the Red Hawks' fourth straight win overall.

Romanko finished 4-for-6 on the day for Montclair, while Auteri, Barnes and Sweeney all went 3-for-7. MSU senior pitcher TARA TODARO (Lodi, NJ) improved to 8-4 on the year with the win in Game One, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out three Kean batters. Montclair sophomore pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) threw the last five innings of the second game and picked up the victory, raising her record to 9-5 by allowing just four hits and one run while striking out three Cougars.