Box Score (Game #1) 
Box Score (Game #2) 

WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (13-4-1, 2-0 NJAC) began New Jersey Athletic Conference play with a 6-1, 6-0 sweep of visiting New Jersey City (8-6, 0-2 NJAC) April 2.

GAME ONE
Senior shortstop Lacey Santone (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a solo home run, to help lead the Pioneers to a 6-1 opening victory.

A reversed call by the umpires on a ball dropped by the NJCU first baseman with two outs in the bottom of the second allowed the Pioneers to extend the inning, leading to four unearned runs. Junior Nicole Jimmerson (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) led the two-out rally by drilling a double to center. Jillian Mulderig (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) then reached on the controversial play when the Gothic Knights' first baseman mishandled the ball, allowing Jimmerson to advance to third. The Pioneers capitalized on the second opportunity when senior Casey Sierra (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) lined a double down the left-field line, scoring Jimmerson and Mulderig. A single by sophomore Raquel Roder (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) and a Christina Zippler (Blackwood, N.J./Washington Twp.) walk left the bases loaded for junior Lindsey Nadolny (Belford N.J./Middletown North), who singled to left field to plate both runners and give William Paterson a 4-0 lead.

The William Paterson offense didn't stop in the bottom of the third inning when Santone launched a home run over the left-field fence. The Gothic Knights responded in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff double by sophomore Megan Ginter. Ginter then stole third and scored on a throwing error by the Pioneer catcher, making it a 5-1 contest.

A single by Mulderig in the bottom of the fourth inning led to another run for the Pioneers. A steal and a sacrifice bunt by Sierra advanced Mulderig to third base, and a Zippler single up the middle scored Mulderig for a 6-1 advantage.

Nadolny was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, Roder went 2-for-4 and scored once, and Sierra was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Sophomore shortstop Megan Ginter led the Gothic Knights, going 1-for-3 in the batter's box while also scoring the team's lone run.

Sophomore Michele Graham (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne) threw a complete-game win (7-4), striking out six, surrendering two hits and one unearned run. Senior Tara Perrucci (3-3) tossed all 6.0 innings, giving up six runs on 13 hits.

GAME TWO
William Paterson got on the board early, scoring a run in the top of the second inning when Jimmerson singled up the middle to start things off for the Pioneers. With two outs, Sierra flared a base hit to right field and moved Jimmerson to third. A Mulderig single down the right-field line scored Jimmerson, giving the Pioneers the early 1-0 advantage.

A Heather Mendez (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) triple in the top of the third inning scored pitcher Jenna Vitale (Kenilworth, N.J./David Brearley) and Santone, who both reached on singles, stretching the Pioneer lead to 3-0. Freshman Kelsey Hand (Mountainville, N.Y./Cornwall Central) then hit a grounder through the left side, a RBI-single to plate Mendez. A Sierra single to left field drove in Hand and a squeeze bunt by Mulderig scored Jimmerson, making it a comfortable 6-0 edge.

Vitale and Santone were both 2-for-4 with a run scored. Mendez contributed two RBI with her triple, and Jimmerson crossed the plate twice. Mulderig and Sierra each chipped in a pair of hits. Vitale earned the win inside the circle (5-0), scattering six hits and striking out seven Gothic Knights in 7.0 innings.

Rebecca Satz was 2-for-2 at the plate for NJCU, and freshman Ashley O'Beirne fell to 5-3 after allowing six runs (five earned) on 12 hits over 7.0 innings.

William Paterson will host Richard Stockton Tuesday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m.