Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. – The fourth-seeded William Paterson softball team (23-14) fell in its opening game of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament, losing at third-seeded Rutgers-Camden (28-13) 4-1 May 1.

The Pioneers will take on host and top-seeded Montclair State Friday, May 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the second round of the six-team, double-elimination NJAC Tournament.

In a game that shaped up as a tight pitchers' duel between Camden's Megan Farrell and William Paterson junior ace Diana Schraer (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), the Pioneers struck quickly in the first inning. The Pioneers' second batter, senior second baseman April Sardinas-Wyssling (Plainsboro, N.J./West Windsor-Plainsboro South) ripped the first pitch she saw to left field for her first home run of the year.

That run stood up into the fourth inning as Schraer fired no-hit ball through the first three frames. In the bottom of the fourth, the Raptors' senior catcher Mo Baney looped a leadoff single into center field and freshman Mary Beth Foley ran for her. Junior designated player Amber Parker laced an opposite-field double to right, and Farrell plated the tying run with a single to center. Freshman third baseman Steph Skroski delivered Parker with the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Rutgers-Camden tacked on a run in the fifth on back-to-back singles by Baney and Parker and an RBI double by Farrell.

The Raptors' final run came in the sixth on a single by senior shortstop Alaina Giles, a stolen base and a throwing error by Schraer on a comebacker to the mound.

Farrell, 10-5, finished with a six-hitter and no walks, while allowing one earned run. She struck out six. Two of the hits she allowed were singles by freshman left fielder Chelsea Winkelspecht (Sicklerville, N.J./Washington Twp.).

Schraer (17-5) allowed 11 hits, one walk and four runs, three of them earned. She struck out two.