Box Score

WAYNE , N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (14-11-2) built an early 8-2 lead and never looked back, defeating Stevens Tech (12-14) 9-5 April 18.

The Ducks started the game with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first inning, but that would be the last time Stevens Tech led the contest, as William Paterson knocked in five unearned runs in the bottom of the second. Senior Ryan Brand (Monroe, N.J./Marlboro) plated a run with a single through the right side of the infield, three more runners scampered home on a two-out error by the right fielder, and senior Wayne Poppe (Sloatsburg, N.J./Suffern) came home on a wild pitch and subsequent wild throw by the catcher to third base.

Senior Rick Pignatello's (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) groundout in the home half of the fourth scored Brand, and Don Reinertsen's (Swartzwood, N.J./Kittatinny) double plated Poppe and Dan Limone (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck)¸making it an 8-2 score. The Pioneers scored another run in the fifth thanks to a Limone sacrifice fly, and Stevens Tech crossed the plate three times in the top of the seventh to end the scoring.

Brand was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored to lead the Pioneer offense. Pignatello and Ted King (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor South) each added a pair of hits. Joe Gunshor was 2-for-5 at the plate to lead the Ducks.

Eight of the combined 14 runs scored were unearned due to a total of 10 errors committed during the game (five by each team). Senior Mike Santana (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) earned the victory (3-1), allowing three hits and two runs (zero earned) while striking out three in 4.0 innings. Freshman Greg Stokes Franklin Lakes, N.J./Indian Hills) threw 3.0 innings, surrendering six hits and three earned runs, while Reinertsen finished the contest, throwing 2.0 innings of perfect relief with a pair of strikeouts. Eric McCormick suffered the loss (0-2), giving up six hits and eight runs (two earned) in 4.0 innings.

William Paterson will host Rutgers-Camden Thursday, April 19, at 3:30 p.m.