Box Score

WAYNE, N.J. – Rutgers-Newark (20-14, 10-6 NJAC) banged out 22 hits en route to a 16-7 victory at William Paterson (18-15-1, 6-8 NJAC) April 29 as the Pioneers remain one game out of the final New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament spot with four games to play.

WP sits in seventh place, one game behind Montclair State (7-7, 14 points) and 2.5 behind Ramapo (8-5, 16). The top six teams will qualify for next week's NJAC Tournament.

The Scarlet Raiders started off hot, scoring a total of seven runs during the first two innings. Junior Chris Ballester doubled in Michael DiCenso, junior Tim Miller's (single plated Patrick Reiemeyer, and junior Mike Ciaramello hit a RBI-single to drive in Ballester for a 3-0 score in the first.

Two one-out walks jump-started the Raiders in the top of the second, and a DiCenso base hit and Pioneer outfield error allowed Jimmy Napolitano to cross the plate. Ballester singled in Matt Connors and Miller drove in two runs with his base hit into right field, making it a 7-0 lead.

The Pioneers scored twice during the bottom half of the second. Senior Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary Rutherford) drew a leadoff walk, freshman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) singled to right field and junior Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) moved the runners up a base with his groundout. Senior Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) scored Rose with a grounder to second and a balk plated Ptaszynski, cutting the margin to 7-2.

An error and two singles loaded the bases with zero outs during the top of the fourth inning, and Miller promptly plated two with his base hit to right. A fielder's choice was followed by RBI-singles from Michael Cassese, Anthony Palladino and Connors. Reitemeyer finished things off with his grand slam off the scoreboard behind the fence in left-center field, making it a nine-run inning and a 16-2 score.

WP scored one eighth-inning run. Sophomore Scott Hansen (Saddle Brook, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and trotted home thanks to a Ptaszynski grounder.

The Pioneers tacked on four runs during their final at-bat. Pinch hitter Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) grounded a one-out single back up the middle and was replaced by pinch runner Dan Alcala (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional). Senior Marc Palestina (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) walked and pinch hitter Blake Crouch (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) cleared the bases with a home run to left center. Junior Rob Doughty (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) delivered a pinch-hit single, freshman Mike Arecchi (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) reached on an error, and Doughty moved up to third on a flyout and later scored via a Somers base hit to the right side of the infield.

Hansen was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored, and Somers went 2-for-4 and drove in a run.

Senior Kevin Wieme (Bayville, N.J./Paramus) allowed five runs on four hits in 1.1 innings, dropping to 2-3. Freshman Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) gave up nine runs (five earned) and 11 hits in 2.1 innings, and freshman Pete Savastano (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) surrendered two unearned runs and five hits in 3.1 innings. Freshman Ed Casiano (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) pitched 1.0 scoreless inning of relief, and sophomore Greg Baker (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson Regional) allowed two hits in 1.0 inning on the mound.

Reitemeyer was 5-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and four runs scored to lead Rutgers-Newark. Miller finished 3-for-3 and drove in five Raiders.

Senior Billy Cerruti picked up the win (4-6), allowing two runs and six hits in 6.0 innings, and sophomore Tyler Kwiatek gave up two hits and one run in 2.0 innings. Freshman Lou Karcanes pitched the ninth and surrendered four runs (three earned) and four hits.

William Paterson will host No. 4 Kean on Senior Day Saturday, April 30, for a doubleheader at 11:30 a.m.