Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – Junior first baseman Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) was 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs-batted-in to help lead the William Paterson baseball team (4-6-1) to a 10-4 victory against Manhattanville (5-2) March 22. Junior lefty Chris Mongelli (Riverdale, N.J./Pompton Lakes) tossed 5.0 innings on two-run ball to improve to 2-0 on the mound this season.

A Derner two-run double in the bottom of the third inning gave the Pioneers an early 2-0 edge.

With the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning, Alex Braverman grounded into a double play, pushing across Raul Rodriguez to score the first run for Manhattanville. Junior Chris Nardozzi then plated John Bucci with a single to center for the Valiants, evening the score.

Derner struck again in the bottom of the fifth, crushing a two-run home run to right-center field to score freshman A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange), who had previously reached on an error by the pitcher. After a triple by Ken O'Donnell (Teaneck, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) was followed by a walk and a hit-by-pitch, the designated hitter Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary Rutherford) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making the score 5-2 in favor of the Pioneers.

Sophomore Matt Petrunti had a one-out single during the top of the sixth inning and eventually scored on a passed ball, cutting the lead to 5-3 in favor of William Paterson. Manhattanville inched even closer in the top of the seventh after three singles in a row led to a run scored by sophomore Johnny LoVetere, making it a 5-4 game.

A double to right-center field by Scott Hansen (Saddle Brook, N.J./Don Bosco Prep), a Valiant error, walk and Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary of Rutherford) single gave William Paterson a run, and a sacrifice fly by freshman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) handed the Pioneers a 7-4 cushion after seven frames. Back-to-back hit by pitches of Hansen and Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) followed by a sacrifice fly by Rose extended the Pioneers' lead to10-4 heading into the ninth inning.

Junior shortstop Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) was 3-for-4 and scored twice, while Rose finished with three RBI for the Pioneers. Freshman Pete Savastano (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) allowed a run and one hit in 1.0 inning of relief, followed by senior Kevin Wieme (Bayville, N.J./Paramus), who surrendered one run on four hits in 1.2 innings. Freshman Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) pitched 0.1 inning, and junior Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) faced three hitters during the top of the ninth.

Sean Ferguson, Matt Korman, Nardozzi and LoVetere each had two hits for Manhattanville. Chad Wallace started for the Valiants and allowed three hits and two runs in 3.0 innings. Donny Pitasi (0-2) surrendered three runs (one earned) on two hits in 1.2 innings, one of five Manhattanville relievers to take the mound.

William Paterson will host the Stevens Ducks in a doubleheader Saturday, March 26, beginning at 12:00 p.m.