Box Score (Plattsburgh)
Box Score (LaVerne)

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – The William Paterson softball team (3-3) split a pair of games during the final day of play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic March 11 in Panama City Beach, Fla. The Pioneers lost to No. 12 Plattsburgh, 7-3, and defeated La Verne, 8-4, in the third-place game of the Bronze Bracket.

Against Plattsburgh, April Sardinas-Wyssling (Plainsboro, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro South) led the Pioneers with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, collecting a double while scoring two runs. Freshman Amy Sievert (Matawan, N.J./Old Bridge) threw the first 1.1 innings, surrendering four hits and three earned runs, while junior Diana Schraer (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) pitched the final 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs.

Against La Verne, freshman Kaitlyn Lang (Newton, Pa./Council Rock-North) was 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while sophomore Meghan Reilly (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, and freshman Chelsea Winkelspecht (Sicklerville, N.J./Washington Twp.) was 1-for-3 with three runs scored.

Freshman Danielle Ballard (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) secured the win, scattering six hits and three earned runs in 4.1 innings of work. Classmate Ashley McDonald (Ewing, N.J./Notre Dame) threw the final 2.2 innings, giving up one unearned run and striking out two hitters.

The Pioneers received 19 votes (26th) in the first NFCA Top 25 Poll of the season (March 8).

William Paterson will enjoy a day off before starting play at the Rebel Spring Games Tuesday, March 13, in Kissimmee, Fla. The Pioneers will take on Concordia (Wisc.) at 9:00 a.m., followed by Hendrix (Ark.) at 1:00 p.m.