Box Score

MADISON, N.J. – Freshman second baseman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, but the William Paterson baseball team (16-11-1) couldn't get past host Drew (9-20-1), 5-4, on April 19.

The current New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week, Ptaszynski got the Pioneers on the board with his one-out solo homer, the first of his career, during the first inning. Steven DeBonis evened the score with his run-scoring single during the home half of the third, but WP forced a run across the plate during its next at-bat. Freshman shortstop Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) reached on an error and advanced to second on a passed ball before Ptaszynski singled him in for a 2-1 Pioneer edge.

The Rangers took control of the game with a three-run bottom of the fourth. Neil Cashes hit a one-out triple and Pat Lydon's fielder's choice was enough to allow Cashes to scamper home. Lydon moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch, and a Michael Bodden base hit put runners on the corners. When Bodden stole second, Lydon was able to steal home for the second run of the frame, and Bodden later scored on a wild pitch for a 4-2 Drew advantage.

Pasternak sent a two-out double to center field, and two hitters later Ptaszynski singled him in to make it a 4-3 contest in the sixth. But, Drew's fielder's choice with the bases loaded handed the Rangers a 5-3 lead after seven innings.

Junior Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) started an eighth-inning rally with his one-out double, and he advanced to third thanks to a Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) groundout. He crossed the plate via a passed ball, and Ptaszynski kept the inning alive with a walk and steal of second, but a strikeout left the tying run 180 feet away.

The Pioneers once again had the tying run in scoring position when Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) walked and moved to second on a passed ball with one out in the ninth, but a strikeout and groundout gave the Rangers the one-run victory.

Freshman A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) was 2-for-4 for William Paterson. Sophomore starter Greg Baker (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson Regional) allowed four runs and five hits in 3.2 innings (0-1), striking out two Rangers and walking four. Junior Dan Alcala (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) gave up one run and six hits in 2.2 innings, and classmate Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Lydon was 2-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored to pace the Rangers. Ken Myers got the win (3-0), surrendering four runs (two earned) on nine hits over 7.1 innings. Dan Blum picked up the save with 1.2 scoreless innings.

William Paterson will play Centenary Wednesday, April 20, at 3:30 p.m. at TD Bank Park in Bridgewater.