Little Falls, NJ (04/23/03) - The Montclair State University softball team, ranked seventh nationally in NCAA Division III, improved to 29-5 overall with today's two-step sweep of Hunter (NY) College at Quarry Field. The host Red Hawks defeated the visiting Hawks, 12-1 and 11-3, in a pair of five-inning contests to stretch their current winning streak to seven games. Hunter fell to 18-10-1 this spring and also saw its six-game victory streak snapped.

MSU sophomore 2B NICOLE PACICCO (Tinton Falls, NJ) led all players by batting 5-for-5 in the two games, driving in six runs and scoring five others while clouting two doubles and her fifth home run of the campaign. Freshman designated player ATHANASIA TOTARO (Roseland, NJ) went 3-for-4 with four runs and three RBIs, while junior shortstop DIANA AUTERI (Lyndhurst, NJ) finished 4-for-6 and scored five runs.

Sophomore catcher SAMANTHA GRABKOWITZ (Bayside, NY) went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Hunter, while classmate CYNTHIA CABRERA (Bronx, NY) was 3-for-5 with a run. Junior JEN AGOSTO (Brooklyn, NY) scored two runs, while freshman DARA DeVINCENZO (Jackson, NJ) took both losses and is now 12-6 this year.

MSU junior pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) improved to 16-3 with the victory in the opener, allowing just two hits, one walk and one run while striking out seven batters over the first four innings. Freshman pitcher KERRY LEE (Florence, NJ), last week's NJAC Rookie Pitcher of the Week, improved to 8-1 this spring after striking out three hitters and walking two over four innings in the nightcap before giving way to sophomore KRISTIN GERVASIO (Mendham, NJ) for the remainder of the game. Gervasio, who also pitched the final inning of Game One today, allowed just four hits and no runs in three total innings while fanning two batters and walking one.

Prior to today's first game, the Red Hawks honored the three members of their senior class in infielder SHANNA LeCOMPTE (Lakewood, NJ), catcher TONYA BARNES (Mechanicsville, VA) and outfielder VALERIE TAURIELLO (Newark, NJ). LeCompte finished 1-for-2 at the plate while recording three putouts and three assists defensively. Barnes and Tauriello garnered a hit, a run and an RBI each, while Barnes led all players with 13 putouts and Tauriello had one.