Box Score 

UNION, N.J. – Senior right-hander Dan VandeVrede (Lincoln Park, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) allowed just two runs over 9.0 strong innings on the mound, and sophomore Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) hit a two-run homer as part of a 2-for-5 day at the plate, as third-seeded William Paterson (23-16) earned a must-win 8-2 victory at top-seeded Kean (33-8) April 30 in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Tournament.

Kean will host the remainder of the NJAC Tournament Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. The Cougars will face second-seeded Montclair State in an elimination game May 2 at 8:00 a.m., followed by WP against sixth-seeded Rowan in another elimination game at 12:00 p.m. Fourth-seeded TCNJ will finish Saturday's action when the Lions take on the winner of the Kean/MSU game at 4:00 p.m. Sunday's format will be determined after the completion of Saturday's games.

With its back against the wall following a first-round loss to TCNJ on April 28, William Paterson turned to its senior to stave off elimination, and VandeVrede delivered by scattering 10 hits while striking out two batters and walking one (5-3). The Pioneers have now won all three of their meetings this spring against Kean, the nation's sixth-ranked team this week.

Senior John Elia (Emerson, N.J./Pascack Valley) helped spark the Pioneer offense with his 3-for-3 effort, hitting two doubles, driving in a pair of scores and crossing the plate three times. Junior Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, and senior Don Hays (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

William Paterson broke through first when Elia led off the top of the second with a double to the base of the wall in right, moved to third on a Moran groundout and scored after Hays singled to right field. Kean fought back to tie the score during the home half of the frame as Gabe Ramirez drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored after another ground ball.

Elia maneuvered around the bases again during the fourth, drawing a walk, stealing second and scoring off a Hays single through the left side of the infield.

The Pioneers then blew the tight game open with a four-run sixth inning. Back-to-back doubles by Guadango and Elia, and Moran's blast over the fence in right field, quickly made it a 5-1 score before NJAC Pitcher of the Year Joe Bartlinski could record an out. Hays followed with a walk, and sophomore Frank Franco's (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) sacrifice bunt was thrown away, giving WP runners at second and third. After junior Marc Palestina (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) replaced Franco at second, freshman Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) was able to bunt down a tough pitch and allow Hays to sprint home, executing the squeeze play to perfection and giving William Paterson a comfortable 6-1 edge.

Two straight singles by senior Will Courter (Roseland, N.J./West Essex) and Guadango were rewarded when Elia drilled a pitch past the second baseman and into right field during the top of the ninth, and Moran followed with a base hit to center, for an 8-1 score.

A one-out, bases-loaded single pushed across a run for the Cougars during their final at-bat, but VandeVrede struck out Ryan Gibbons and induced a game-ending popup by NJAC Player of the Year Mike Moceri.

Mike Manganiello was 3-for-3 to lead the Kean offense, while Dylan Laguna and Dave Zavistoski each had two hits. Bartlinski (6-3) allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 8.0 innings.