Box Score

FLEMINGTON, N.J. – William Paterson (0-1) rallied to get within one by the middle of the eighth inning, but FDU-Florham (1-0) scored four times during the home half of the frame, and the Devils came away with a 9-6 win March 2 at Diamond Nation in the baseball season opener for both schools.

FDU-Florham struck first with a pair of unearned runs during its first at-bat, but the Pioneers got one back in the top of the fifth when junior outfielder Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) singled in freshman third baseman A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange).

The Devils wasted no time adding to their lead, using a RBI-groundout and a passed ball with a runner on third to make it a 4-1 game after five. A Pioneer error in the bottom of the sixth inning later added a single run to the ledger for FDU-Florham.

With two outs in the top of the eighth, senior Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) doubled and graduate student Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for an Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) three-run homer and a 5-4 score.

Four singles, a walk and a hit by pitch helped FDU-Florham push across four runners in the bottom of the eighth and give the Devils a 9-4 lead. Junior Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) homered to start the top of the ninth, and with two outs Montanile doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored via an Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) single, but a final flyout ended the Pioneers' comeback attempt.

Derner was 2-for-3 with the three-run homer, while Montanile went 2-for-5. Senior Kevin Wieme (Bayville, N.J./Paramus) took the loss (0-1), allowing two unearned runs in 3.1 innings as the starter, striking out five and walking two. Junior Dan Alcala (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) tossed 1.0 inning and gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit. Sophomore J.J. Moran (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) allowed up one run and one hit in 1.2 innings, followed by freshman Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), who surrendered three runs and three hits in 1.2 innings. Junior Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) finished on the mound, allowing a run in 0.1 inning.

William Paterson will open its home slate Sunday, March 6, with a seven-inning doubleheader against Worcester State at 12:00 p.m.