Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State softball team ran its winning streak to six games as the Red Hawks exploded for 10 runs in its final three at bats of the opener before holding Manhattanville in the nightcap for a twinbill sweep at the MSU Softball Stadium on Thursday.

Senior shortstop BRIANNA DAVIDSON drove in four runs helping Montclair to a 10-5 win on the first game. Junior BROOKE POWERS plated the winning run in the second contest as MSU (13-15) completed the sweep with a 5-4 win.

In the first game, the Red Hawks were held to just two hits by Valiants' starter Alicia Marino through the first three innings and trailed 3-0 when it rallied to tie the game. Davidson put MSU on the board with a two-run double to right center and Montclair tied the game as MELISSA RUSTEMEYER doubled up the gap in left center scoring Davidson for a 3-3 tie.

Manhattanville (9-15) threatened in the fifth inning putting runners on second and third with one out, however Powers came up with a comebacker and fly out to end the threat.  The Red Hawks took the lead in the bottom half as Davidson delivered again with a two-run single down the left field line giving MSU a 5-3 lead.

Montclair then erupted for five runs in the bottom of the second. LAUREN GUILLEN stroked a two-run single and Powers helped her own cause with a two-run single. MELANY ZELLER plated the final run with an RBI single as MSU went up 10-3.

The Valiants would get two back in the top of the seventh but Powers got a grounder to first for the final out.

Powers earned the win as she allowed seven hits and in the complete-game effort. She struck out five and walked three. Marino took the loss giving up 13 hits and 10 runs (eight earned) with three punch outs and two walks.

Second baseman NOEL HODGINS went 3-for-3 while Guillen, Davidson, Rustemeyer and ALANA LUNA each had two hits in a 13-hit attack by Montclair.

In the second game, Manhattanville grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning before Montclair State got those back plus two more in the bottom of the inning. Zeller drove in the first with a ground out and Rustemeyer singled to left tying the game. TINA CIACCIARELLI then smacked a two-run single to right for a 4-2 lead.

The Valiants would tie the game in the top of the fourth as two-out error allowed two runs to score knotting the contest at 4-4. MSU immediately answered with the eventual game-winner in its half of the inning. Guillen led off with a triple to center and scored two batters later as Powers singled back through the middle for the go-ahead run.

Manhattanville would get the tying run on leading off the seventh inning however Powers stranded the runner there with a flyout, strikeout and pop up to end the game.

Powers (11-11), who had two hits in the contest, won her sixth consecutive decision allowing seven hits and four runs (two earned) with four strikeouts and two walks. Marino (7-6) took the loss in relief as she allowed the winning run in the fifth.

Montclair returns to action on Saturday, April 18 as it heads to Mahwah, NJ to face Ramapo College in an NJAC doubleheader at 1:00 pm.