Scranton, PA (4/14/02) - The Montclair State softball team continued its winning ways today with a two-step non-conference sweep at the University of Scranton. The Red Hawks defeated the Royals in the opener, 5-2, in seven innings and then claimed the second contest, 11-0, in a five-inning affair. MSU is now 19-9 overall, and has won six straight games dating back to April 10. Montclair posted 20 hits against Scranton (10-12 overall) while also stealing 10 bases in 10 attempts.

Montclair senior pitcher TARA TODARO (Lodi, NJ) picked up the win in the first contest, improving her record to 9-4 this spring by allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out 12 Scranton batters to tie her personal career high for a single game. Sophomore hurler CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) claimed the victory in the second Scranton match, surrendering just two hits and three walks while striking out four batters in four innings, and is now 10-5 this season.

MSU freshman infielder KARI McDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ) led the Red Hawk offense against the Royals by batting 5-for-7 (.714) with five runs, two runs batted in and one home run in the doubleheader. Junior catcher TONYA BARNES (Mechanicsville, VA) went 4-for-7 (.571) with five RBIs, four runs and her first career homer, while freshman outfielder MEGAN SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) also hit 4-for-7 at Scranton with two runs and two RBIs.

MSU returns to New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Tuesday, April 16, at NJCU at 3:30 p.m.