Camden, NJ (5/6/06) – The Montclair State softball team was eliminated from the 2006 NJAC Softball Tournament on Saturday as the Red Hawks fell to Ramapo College, 14-1 on Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Montclair avenged three straight losses to Rowan with a 1-0 triumph.

MSU, now 29-12 on the season, will wait for its post-season fate. The Red Hawks will be among teams in contention for an at-large spot for the NCAA Division III Championship. If Montclair isn't selected they will be in consideration for the ECAC Division III South Championship, a title MSU has won each of the past six seasons.

The fifth-seeded Red Hawks rode the three-hit shutout pitching of sophomore CAROLYN MCCREA and a solo home run by junior catcher MEGAN TANTUM as they eliminated second-seeded Rowan. The win made up for three straight defeats against the Profs, including a 9-5 loss in the opening round of the tournament on May 2.

McCrea, 14-6, walked two and struck out five in recording her fourth shutout of the season.

Tantum, who had two of the three hits off losing pitcher Colleen Oswald, provided the only run of the game with a leadoff home run to left field in the fourth inning. It was her first home run of the season.

Against Ramapo, the Roadrunners continued their slugging ways in the top of the first inning of the losers' bracket final. Following a two-out single by junior designated player Becky Pollack, Rizzo launched her second home run of the weekend off Red Hawks senior starter ATHANASIA TOTARO.

The game was stopped for nearly 20 minutes in the bottom of the first inning when Totaro, the Red Hawks' leadoff batter, fouled the ball into her face and had to be taken to the hospital. She was relieved on the mound by McCrea, who worked a pair of scoreless innings before the Roadrunners struck for five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Cascino and junior first baseman Beth Choma opened the frame with singles and Cascino scored on a two-out error. After a single by Moore loaded the bases, Pastiglione drilled a grand slam to left field.

Ramapo continued its assault with a seven-run top of the sixth inning which featured two errors and five hits, including home runs by Moore – her school-record 13th of the season – and the first career four-bagger for junior left fielder Gemma Chalkley.

Montclair State's lone run was a home run by Tantum leading off the fifth inning. It was her second homer of the day and second of the season.

Totaro (13-6), took the loss, working the one inning before she was injured. She allowed three hits and two earned runs.