Wayne, NJ (4/6/04) - Montclair State University and William Paterson University split a New Jersey Athletic Conference softball doubleheader today at WPU's Wightman Field. The host Pioneers claimed the opener, 6-3, before the visiting Red Hawks responded with a 7-2 victory in the nightcap. Both teams are now 14-4 overall and 5-3 in NJAC play. For Montclair State, senior first baseman DANA SPRAGUE (North Arlington, NJ/North Arlington) went 4-for-7 with two RBIs, both coming in the nightcap. Meanwhile, Pioneers' freshman outfielder/designated player Liz Sisca (Andover, NJ/Newton) finished 3-for-6 with two RBI on the day.

Montclair State took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the opener, but WPU tied the game later that inning and went ahead for good with an unearned run in the fourth frame before adding three unearned runs in the sixth stanza. Senior pitcher CRYSTAL SWEENEY (Edison, NJ/Edison) took the loss for the Red Hawks, falling to 8-3 this year despite allowing just two earned runs while striking out three batters and walking another three. Junior centerfielder JOELLE FATA (Blommfield, NJ/Bloomfield) went 2-for-3 at the plate, driving in both MSU runs in the second on a double down the left line, before scoring Montclair's final run in the seventh inning off a single by sophomore ATHANASIA TOTARO (Roseland, NJ/West Essex). Senior first baseman Erin McNeill (Little Falls, NJ/Passaic Valley) laced the go-ahead RBI double in the fourth inning as William Paterson overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring six unanswered runs. McNeill finished the after 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Sisca went 1-for-3 and smacked a two-run triple to highlight a three-run eighth that helped her team secure the victory.

Totaro picked up the win in Game Two for Montclair, improving to 6-1 this spring while striking out three batters. WPU took a 1-0 lead after one inning and added another run in the top of the fifth for a 2-0 advantage before MSU broke the game open. The Red Hawks used four hits to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth, and tallied four runs in the sixth off two hits, a walk and two Pioneer errors for the 7-2 final. Sprague brought in two runs with her single to right field with two outs to tie the game, and then junior outfielder MEGAN SWEENEY (Edison, NJ/Edison) followed up with a run-scoring single off her own to put MSU up for good, 3-2. Senior shortstop DIANA AUTERI (Lyndhurst, NJ/St. Mary's) made it 5-2 with her two-run homer to left field with two outs in the sixth, before Totaro and junior infielder KARI MCDONNELL (Wrightstown, NJ/N. Burlington) each added an unearned run for the final margin. McDonnell scored two runs in the rematch, while walking three times. Auteri finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while Sprague went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Also, junior second baseman NICOLE PACICCO (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional) singled in both of her at-bats and scored a run as the Red Hawks amassed eight hits. Sophomore pitcher Jenn Scott (Mount Ephraim, NJ/ Bishop Eustace) took both decisions for WPU, which suffered five errors in the second game. Scott is now 13-4 on the season, while Sisca went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the rematch.

Montclair State returns to action at home on Thursday against John Jay (NY) College at the MSU Softball Stadium, while William Paterson hosts Mount St. Mary's tomorrow afternoon.