Wayne, NJ (4/9/02) - The Montclair State University softball team dropped a pair of New Jersey Athletic Conference games today to host William Paterson University at Wightman Field. WPU blanked MSU, 1-0, in the first game, before shutting out the Red Hawks, 8-0, in the second contest. Montclair (13-9, 4-4 NJAC) is now winless in its last three outings.

The opening game was scoreless until the host Pioneers(16-6, 7-1 NJAC) tallied the game's only run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Sam Kszepka doubled home Lauren Hertzberg from first base. MSU had three of its four hits in the top of the seventh inning and loaded the bases, but came away empty. Senior pitcher TARA TODARO (Lodi, NJ) took the loss despite allowing just one earned run and four hits while walking two batters and striking out six others. Senior infielder TARA GIALANELLA (West Valley, NJ) went 1-for-2 for Montclair and also recorded three putouts defensively.

WPU jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a four-hit, four-run first inning in the nightcap and never looked back in recording its fourth straight victory over MSU dating back to the 2000 campaign. Jen Menges led the Pioneers by going 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs, while Morgan Dunlap went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Diane Catalano allowed just one MSU hit and struck out five Red Hawks in five innings, with junior outfielderSTEPHANIE ROMANKO (N. Brunswick, NJ) recording Montclair's only hit. Sophomore pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) absorbed the loss while walking two and striking out three. Junior pitcher ASHLEIGH TOUW (Wantage, NJ) handled the fifth inning, retiring the side while striking out one.

MSU returns to action on Wednesday, April 10, against visiting Fairleigh Dickinson University at Quarry Field at 3:00 p.m. The Red Hawks swept the Devils, 4-2 and 9-2, last May in Madison.