Little Falls, NJ (04/03/03) - The Montclair State University softball team pounded out 21 runs, 19 hits and four home runs in sweeping visiting Manhattanville College today by 11-0 and 10-0 scores in a non-conference doubleheader at MSU's Quarry Field. Montclair improves to 16-1 overall this season, recording shutouts in each of its last three outings, while Manhattanville falls to 7-4 overall with its fourth straight loss.

Montclair broke open a 2-0 game in today's first contest by scoring three time in the third inning and six times in the fourth frame. Sophomore infielder NICOLE PACICCO (Tinton Falls, NJ) and junior designated player DANA SPRAGUE (North Arlington, NJ) both homered for the Red Hawks in the third inning, after sophomore infielder KARI McDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ) had belted a two-run shot in the bottom of the first. Sprague finished 2-for-3 and scored twice while batting in four runs, including her first career homer. MSU junior pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ) improved to 9-1 this season, allowing just one hit and no walks in five innings while striking out eight batters. Senior pitcher CANDICE D'ANDREA (Clifton, NJ) fell to 5-2 for the visiting Valiants after surrendering nine hits and six earned runs with three walks in four innings. Sophomore infielder NICOLE ELLIOTT (Ontario, Canada) collected Manhattanville's only hit.

Freshman pitcher ATHANASIA TOTARO (Roseland, NJ) picked up the win for Montclair in the nightcap, allowing no hits and no walks while fanning three hitters over four innings. She also went 1-for-2 with a run at the plate, after batting 2-for-3 with two runs in the opener. McDonnell hit her team-leading fourth homer in Montclair's five-run second inning, as MSU again took a 2-0 lead after one stanza. She finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Pacicco scored twice and sophomore outfielder JOELLE FATA (Bloomfield, NJ) finished 2-for-3 and stole two bases, including home plate. Senior pitcher CAROL DONNELLY (Tuckahoe, NY) took the loss for the Valiants, falling to 2-2 on the year after enduring a 10-hit, 10-run, nine-walk outing.

Montclair State continues its New Jersey Athletic Conference campaign tomorrow at home with a single contest against New Jersey City University at 3:00 p.m. MSU (1-0 NJAC) topped NJCU, 8-0, on Wednesday in its conference opener.