Box Score

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. – William Paterson (21-11, 9-4 NJAC) rallied to score five runs in the top of the eighth and forge a 7-7 tie, but Montclair State (16-11, 9-3 NJAC) was able to cross the plate once during the bottom of the inning, earning an 8-7 victory in a battle between the baseball rivals April 18 at Yogi Berra Stadium. The Pioneers are now tied for second place in the NJAC standings with No. 7 TCNJ (9-4), a half-game behind MSU (9-3) with five regular-season games remaining.

On a day when the Red Hawks honored former Pioneer head coach Jeff Albies, visiting William Paterson struck first with a single run in the top of the first. Senior Dan Limone (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) led off the game with a triple, and trotted home after an Andrue Laguerre (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) sacrifice fly for a 1-0 edge.

Montclair State answered immediately, driving in two runs during the home half of the inning with an Ed Kloepping single. The Red Hawks extended that lead to 3-1 in the third, thanks to another Kloepping RBI-base hit.

Senior Vince Joyce (Franklin, N.J./Wallkill Valley) doubled to lead off the top of the fourth, junior Will Courter (Roseland, N.J./West Essex) singled to move him to third, and sophomore James Gregory (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) hit the Pioneers' second sacrifice fly of the day, pulling William Paterson back within one at 3-2. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Montclair extended the lead with four scores. Stephen Piscitello singled home a run, and Montclair got two more when an errant throw on a foul pop-up bunt got by the third baseman. Michael Nunes added a RBI-triple as Montclair built its five-run cushion, 7-2. 

Following MSU's four-run outburst, the game was halted as Montclair State honored Albies, who retired as the Pioneers' coach last June. Albies won 862 games during his 33 seasons, including 11 NJAC titles, seven regional crowns and the 1992 and 1996 NCAA Division III national championships. 

William Paterson then mounted a rally during its second-to-last at-bat, plating five runs in the eighth. Following an out, Mike Guadagno (Uppper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) doubled to left field and Joyce and Anthony Perrone (Midland Park, N.J./Bergen Catholic) each walked to load the bases. Junior John Elia (Emerson, N.J./Pascack Valley) stroked a two-run single to make the score 7-4, and a base hit by Courter got the Pioneers within two. After a second-out, Limone singled to right, scoring two to tie the game at 7-7. 

Mike Ercolano's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth would be the difference, giving MSU head coach Norm Schoenig his 600th career victory (600-311-10, 21st season).

Junior Dan VandeVrede (Lincoln Park, N.J./Pequannock) took the loss (4-2), throwing the complete game and allowing 16 hits and eight runs. Guadango was 3-for-5 with a double, Limone was 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI, and Courter was 2-for-4 at the plate for the Pioneers.

William Paterson will host No. 7 TCNJ for an Alumni Day doubleheader Saturday, April 19, at 12:00 p.m. Prior to the contest, the Pioneers will honor Albies.