Box Score (Game #1)
Box Score (Game #2)
WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (15-7-1, 5-1 NJAC) used two complete-game performances by starting pitchers sophomore
J.J. Moran (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) and junior
Bryce Warden (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) to earn a pair of baseball victories, 7-3 and 3-2, against Richard Stockton (15-8, 1-4 NJAC) April 9.
GAME ONE
William Paterson scored the first five runs of the game and held off a late Osprey rally for a 7-3 opening win.
An error by Richard Stockton scored the first run in the bottom of the second inning for the Pioneers. Junior outfielder
Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on another base hit by senior
Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary Rutherford). Freshman
Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) dribbled a ground ball to third base which bounced off the glove of the Osprey fielder, allowing Somers to score and give the Pioneers a quick 1-0 lead.
First baseman
Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) reached base on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third, followed by a double by sophomore
Scott Hansen (Saddle Brook, N.J./Don Bosco Prep), which advanced Derner to third base. Junior
Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) singled to center, plating both runners and extending the lead to 3-0.
The Pioneers tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, starting with a stand-up double to left field by Rose. Ptaszynski laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by the Richard Stockton pitcher, who chose to try to get the lead runner but threw the ball into left field, allowing Rose to cross the plate and move Ptaszynski to second. A slow-rolling ground ball to second by
Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) later pushed Ptaszynski across the plate, giving the Pioneers a 5-0 edge.
Richard Stockton sparked some offensive power entering the top of the seventh inning. Four singles, the first four hits in the game, by Travis Marra, Dan McGuckin, Mike Ficarro and Chris Wedding scored three runs for the Ospreys, cutting the Pioneer lead to 5-3.
Doubles by Somers and senior
Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) got things started for WP in the eighth, putting runners on second and third. A suicide squeeze was perfectly laid down the first base line by Rose, plating Somers. Ptaszynski stepped in and drilled a ball into right field, scoring Moran and giving the Pioneers a decisive 7-3 advantage.
Ptaszynski and Rose went 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored, while Somers was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Moran threw a nine-hit complete game, picking up the victory to improve to 2-2. Richard Stockton's starter Gage Mick (1-4) also tossed a complete game, surrendering 10 hits and seven runs (four earned).
GAME TWO
The Ospreys took a 2-0 third-inning lead, but William Paterson fought back for a 3-2 victory and its 12th win in its last 13 games.
A two-out single to right field by Marra plated Jason Gordon, who reached on a four-pitch walk, and Matt Cann, who doubled down the right field line to reach base, gave the Ospreys the early 2-0 advantage.
The Pioneers struck back with a two-out, three-run bottom of the fifth inning. A double to left-center by Dorio plated Ptaszynski, who reached on a fielder's choice, to put Pioneers on the board. Flores reached after a base on balls, allowing Derner to step to the plate and lace a ball through the middle of the infield to score two runners, putting William Paterson up 3-2.
Derner was 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs for the Pioneers. Warden tossed a complete game, allowing only five hits and surrendering two runs, improving his record to 4-0.
Gordon and Marra each had a pair of hits for Stockton. Adam Warburton fell to 4-1 after pitching 8.0 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs.
The Pioneers will host the College of Staten Island Wednesday, April 13. First pitch will be at 3:30 p.m.
