Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The William Paterson baseball team (0-0-1) played to a 10-10, 10-inning tie in its season opener against Wabash (2-6-1) March 9 at the Greater Phoenix (Ariz.) Invitational.

The game was halted after 10 innings due to darkness. Freshman right fielder Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) led the Pioneer offense with a 3-for-5 effort, one double and two runs scored. Senior center fielder Rick Pignatello (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), senior third baseman Jon Marzella (Cedar Knolls, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and senior left fielder Don Reinertsen (Swartzwood, N.J./Kittatinny) each had two hits, while junior catcher Don Hays (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) blasted a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to help the Pioneers come back from a 10-7 deficit.

Senior Mike Irwin (North Haledon, N.J./Manchester Regional) got the start on the hill, allowing four earned runs in 4.0 innings. Classmate Mike Santana (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), senior Vince Martino (Thiells, N.Y./North Rockland) and junior Steve Schlitzer (West New York, N.J./Memorial) combined to throw the remaining six innings.

The Pioneers will face Johns Hopkins Saturday, March 10, at 12:30 p.m. (local time) in Phoenix.