Fort Myers, FL (3/11/06) – Freshman shortstop JENNIFER JIMENEZ drove eight runs in her first two collegiate games while sophomore righthander CAROLYN MCCREA struck out 10 batters against Heidelberg (OH) as Montclair State opened its 2006 season with a pair of wins at the Gene Cusic Classic on Saturday afternoon. MSU (2-0) routed Regis College (MA), 14-2 before coming back to beat Heidelberg, 6-1.

In the win over Regis, the Red Hawks pushed across a run as JENNA WEISS walked and came around to score as JACKIE FERRANTI tripled. MSU then exploded for six runs in the second. Montclair loaded the bases with one out and Ferranti and MEGAN TANTUM each drew a walks to force in runs. Jimenez then stepped to the plate and cleared the bases as she launched a triple to right-center making the score, 6-0. CHERYL BODAK would add an RBI single in the third as the Red Hawks built a seven-run cushion. ATHANASIA TOTARO singled home a run in the third and Montclair added two more runs in the fourth courtesy of a two-run homer off the bat of Bodak.

MSU closed out its offensive onslaught with four runs in the fifth. Pinch-runner ASHLEY LUSTENBERGER stole home for the first run and Montclair added three more as Jimenez launched a three-run homer to left center.

Totaro picked up the victory as she allowed three hits in the first four innings. Totaro struck out five before giving way to DANA WARNOCK, who fanned two in her one inning of work . Totaro, Jimenez and Bodak were each 2-for-3 while Tantum tied an MSU single-game record with four walks.

In the win over Heidelberg, the Red Hawks struck again early as they plate four runs in the top half of the first. Montclair loaded the bases with no one out, but Heidelberg got a much-needed double play. However, Jimenez would get the runs home as she delivered a two-run single to left. Bodak added an RBI double and MAUREEN SHOCKLEY capped off the inning with an run-scoring base hit. MSU extended the lead to 5-0 in the third on an RBI groundout by Crystal Dahlhaus.

Heidelberg would answer with a run in their half of the third, however, Montclair would tack on a run in the seventh as Tantum brought home Totaro on a ground out.

McCrea (1-0) allowed seven hits and walked one in picking up the victory. Totaro, Ferranti, Jimenez and Bodak each had two hits for Montclair State.

The Red Hawks continue action in the Gene Cusic Classic on Sunday as they face Defiance (OH) and St. Mary's (IN) at 9:00 and 11:00 am, respectively.