Two-Run Ninth Lifts Pioneers to 10-9 Victory

Don Hays was 4-for-5 with three RBI against Springfield.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Two runs in the bottom of the ninth helped lift the William Paterson baseball team (2-2-1) to a 10-9 victory against Springfield (0-3) March 12 at the Greater Phoenix (Ariz.) Invitational.

Senior Ted King (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor South) led off the ninth by reaching first on an error by the shortstop, and was lifted for pinch runner Jim Gregory (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey). Freshman Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) advanced Gregory to second on a sacrifice, and sophomore Will Courter (Roseland, N.J./West Essex) sent him home with a single. Following a popout, Courter moved to second on a balk, and then scored the winning run thanks to a Don Hays (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) single.

Hays finished 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, while senior Don Reinertsen (Swartzwood, N.J./Kittatinny) was 4-for-5 with a double, one run scored and two RBI.

Junior Steve Schlitzer (West New York, N.J./Memorial) started on the mound, allowing six earned runs while striking out four in 6.1 innings. Senior Christian Miranda (Bogota, N.J./Bergen Catholic) gave up one earned run while striking out two batters in 2.0 innings of relief, and classmate Mike Santana (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) earned the victory, striking out one in the final 0.2 inning of work.

The Pioneers will play Wheaton (Mass.) Tuesday, March 13, at 11:30 a.m. (local time) in Phoenix.

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