Jersey City, NJ (4/26/09) - Senior lefthander Kelly Karp (Edison, NJ / Edison) spun a two-hit shutout and freshman Shannon Mozek (Wayne, NJ / Wayne Valley) drove in both runs in the opener as Montclair State posted a 2-0 victory over New Jersey City in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.

The Red Hawks (23-1, 9-9 NJAC) locked up the sixth and final spot in the NJAC Tournament with the win. MSU, which fell 3-2 in the second game, will face Rowan in the opening round of the tournament in Glassboro on Tuesday.

In game one, Karp improved to 11-8 on the season, pitching a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits while walking none, striking out one, and hitting one batter. Behind her MSU scored single runs in the third and seventh innings, to claim the two-run win.

Sophomore designated player Leigh Ann Murduca (Jersey City, NJ/St. Dominic Academy) led off the top of the third with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore infielder Samantha Depken (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo).  Murduca  advanced to third on sophomore outfielder Leslie Gonzalez’ (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) single up the middle and scored on an RBI groundout by Mozek.

The Red Hawks added their second run in the top of the seventh when they strung together three singles, with the third scoring a run.  Murduca singled through the right side of the infield and moved to second when Depken singled down the left field line.  After junior outfielder Megan Bryson (Atco, NJ/Paul VI) pinch ran for Murduca, Mozek drilled a single down the left field line, scoring Bryson. For the Red Hawks, Mozek went 1-for-4 with both RBI. Gonzalez went 2-for-3 and Murduca was 1-for-2 with one run scored, while Depken went 2-for-2.

The Gothic Knights rebounded from a tough loss in game one to take the nightcap 3-2, despite being outhit, 9-5. NJCU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before MSU gained a 2-1 advantage with single runs in the second and third. The Knights tied it in the fourth before plating the winning run in the top of the seventh.

Lacey Skowronski shutdown the Red Hawks for the final four innings to record the win.   Skowronski pitched a complete game, improving to 9-11 on the season, allowing two runs on nine hits, walking one. Eight of the nine MSU hits were singles. Karp pitched the first four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while walking three.  Junior right-hander Elia Persico (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) came on to pitch the last three, allowing one unearned run on two hits.  She takes the loss, falling to 3-2 on the year. Junior left fielder Tara Parucci (Wallington, NJ/Wallington) and Delfino  each went 1-for-2 with a run scored.  Perrucci also had an RBI and Delfino had two stolen bases.  Prospero went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Ginter swiped her 20th base.

For the Red Hawks, Karp went 3-for-3 with a run scored.  Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and Mozek  went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

NJCU struck first, plating one run in the top of the first, as Delfino walked, stole second and third and scored when Perrucci drove an RBI single through the left side of the infield. Montclair tied it in the second on a throwing error before claiming a 2-1 lead in the third inning on a sac fly by junior outfielder Kelly Nance (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro), bringing in Mozek, who led off with a double.

NJCU  immediately answered with one run in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of a throwing error by the Red Hawks.  Perrucci led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single to center field by Hall.  Skowronski then reached on a throwing error by the shortstop which scored Perrucci. The game remained tied, 2-2, until the top of the seventh. Ginter beat out a groundball to shortstop for an infield single and advanced to second when the throw got past the first baseman.  She advanced to third base on a passed ball and scored on a single up the middle by Prospero.

The Red Hawks threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but Skowronski ended the game when she forced a ground ball to shortstop as MSU left the tying run at third base.