Buffalo State opened its 2004 campaign today in Ft. Myers, FL with an 8-3 victory over Lasell (MA), before falling to the 13th-ranked team in Division III Montclair State (NJ), 2-1.

In the opener against Lasell (0-4), Liz Beiter (N. Tonawanda) and Melissa Balsavage (Depew) combined for a two-hitter on the mound, with Beiter earning the victory allowing no runs in four innings. Nadine Sirianni (Niagara Falls) paced the Bengals' offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run and two RBI. Brooke Matheis (Hamburg) was 1-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI.

In the second game, Montclair (5-1) edged the Bengals despite Kristen Scheffold (Lancaster) throwing a complete-game five-hitter with no earned runs. Emily Goldyn (Lancaster) was 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.

Buffalo State is 1-1 and will face Smith (MA) and Wheaton (MA) tomorrow at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.