RELEASE DATE: 3/05/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES SWEEP LIVINGSTONE IN 2004 SOFTBALL OPENER – ALISON TAGLIAFERRI HITS TWO-RUN HOME RUN

SALISBURY, NC – Sophomore Kristen Dean (Roaring Branch/Canton) gave up three hits over six innings in the opener and Alison Tagliaferri (Linden/Jersey Shore) drilled a two-run home run in the nightcap as the Mansfield University softball team opened its 2004 season with a 8-2, 11-0 sweep at Livingstone College Friday afternoon.

Dean was almost untouchable on the mound allowing scattering three hits and striking out 10 while issuing just one walk. She got plenty of offensive help from junior Shannon McDonnell (Scranton/Bishop O’Hara) who went 2-2 with two doubles and two rbi.

Freshman Christine Ross (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin), Kay Canfield (Columbia Crossroads/Troy) and Alison Tagliaferri combined for a one-hit shutout in the nightcap. In her first collegiate game, Ross allowed one hit while striking out five in three innings. Tagliaferri pitched the final inning striking out all three batters she faced. agliaferri also drilled a two-run home run.

Mansfield (2-0) will travel to Myrtle Beach for the SnowBird Tournament on Monday.

GAME ONE

Mansfield          103       300       1          8-8-1

Livingstone        000       000       2          2-3-5

Mansfield (1-0): Kristen Dean (W, 1-0), Jessica Nordblom (6) and Marissa Kosydar

2b – Shannon McDonnell 2                     RBI – Sytiva Seitz, Dean Nancy Quinn, Heather Long, Alexis Drebitko

Livingstone (0-1):  Marie Szendrey (L, 0-1) and Takesiha Abrams

RBI – Donna Janey, Marie Szendrey

GAME TWO

Mansfield          350       21         11-8-0

Livingstone        000       00         0-1-2

Mansfield (2-0): Christine Ross (W, 1-0), Kay Canfield (4), Alison Tagliaferri (5) and Nancy Quinn

2b – Kristen Dean, Heather Long HR – Alison Tagliaferri (1)

RBI – Tagliaferri 2, Dean 2, Jacklyn Laskowski, Shannon McDonnell, Alexis Drebitko, Brittany Walker

Livingstone (0-2): Lehia Payton (L, 0-1), Marie Szendrey (2) and Takesiha Abrams