Cape Coral, FL (03/13/03) - The Montclair State University softball team shut out its last two opponents to finish with a perfect 10-0 record at the 2003 Gene Cusic Classic in southwest Florida. The Red Hawks blanked Bethany (WV) College, 5-0, before whitewashing Lakeland (WI) College, 8-0. MSU started off last season by going 7-3 at the Classic en route to a 30-11 finish and a third consecutive ECAC Division III South crown.

Montclair took a 2-0 lead after one inning against Bethany before adding two more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. Junior pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) finished the Florida trip with a perfect 5-0 record and four shutouts, after allowing just three hits against the Bison while walking three batters and striking out four in seven innings. Sophomore second base NICOLE PACICCO (Tinton Falls, NJ) went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Red Hawks, scoring twice, while sophomore third base KARI McDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ) was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a triple. The win over Bethany was MSU's ninth of the spring, and 13th straight dating back to last season.

Montclair closed out its Florida trip with its sixth shutout of the spring, taking a 3-0 lead over Lakeland after one inning before adding two more runs in the second, one in the third, and two in the fourth. Freshman pitcher KERRY LEE (Florence, NJ) improved to 3-0 this year after allowing just three hits over five innings with two strikeouts. Sophomore hurler KRISTIN GERVASIO (Mendham, NJ) pitched a shutout in the fifth inning, allowing just one hit as MSU won its 14th straight contest since April 2002, the longest current unbeaten streak in New Jersey Athletic Conference softball. Junior shortstop DIANA AUTERI (Lyndhurst, NJ) hit 2-for-3 with three runs and also stole one base today against the opposing Muskies, while McDonnell also went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Sophomore left field MEGAN SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) was 2-for-2 with three RBIs, while junior designated player DANA SPRAGUE (North Arlington, NJ) finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs and two doubles.