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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

WAYNE, N.J. – No. 30 William Paterson baseball (24-9, 7-5 NJAC) dropped the back end of a home-and-home series, 7-6, against Montclair State (21-11, 9-3 NJAC) April 20 at Jeff Albies Field.

The Pioneers hopped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first sparked by a leadoff double to left-center by junior outfielder Ryan Gibbons (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock).  Gibbons moved to third on a wild pitch, and came around to score on a Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) single that chopped through the middle of the infield.  WP put up another run in the second inning beginning with a two-out double to left-center by junior third baseman James Lauer (Hamilton, N.J./Pennington Prep).  Sophomore A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) singled through the left side to score Lauer to make it a 2-0 lead.

The Red Hawks answered in the top of the third with a single by Anthony Bowens that dropped into right field.  An overthrow on a pickoff attempt put Bowens at third, and he was able to cut the score in half on a passed ball.  Ptaszynski's single led off the bottom of the frame, and senior first baseman Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner over.  Senior outfielder Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) laced a ball through the right side of the infield to score Ptaszynski, giving the Pioneers a 3-1 advantage.

Montclair State evened the score in the top of the fourth on a Stephen Nappe two-run blast to left field.  Junior catcher Scott Glozzy doubled to left-center, and moved to third as Jason Chesterman laid down the sacrifice bunt.  Sophomore second baseman Lou Martini singled through the left side and score Glozzy to put the Red Hawks ahead, 4-3.  The Pioneers answered in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single by Lauer, who advanced to second on a wild pitch.  An intentional walk was issued to Gibbons, and Montanile was able to deliver a two-out, two-run double to right-center regaining the lead, 5-4.

The Red Hawks evened the score at 5-5 in the top of the fifth inning on a home run to left field by the designated hitter, Kevin Bond.  Martini's one-out double followed by Mickey McGraw single put runners at the corners for MSU in the sixth frame.  McGraw stolen second and Martini was able to scamper home on a high throw by the Pioneers' catcher to give the Red Hawks a one-run lead.

Gibbons led off the Pioneer sixth with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Ptaszynski scorched a ground ball through the left side, plating Gibbons to knot the score at 6-6.

Glozzy's one-out single sparked the Red Hawks' offense in the top of the seventh.  Chesterman laced a ball to third base, and both runners were able to move up on a passed ball.  Right fielder Timothy Byron floated a ball to center, allowing Glozzy to score and take the 7-6 lead.

The Pioneers threatened in the bottom of the ninth as senior designated hitter Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) led off the inning with a double to right-center.  Junior catcher Vin Fondacaro (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock) laid down the bunt, but the Red Hawk defense was able to get the out at third on pinch runner Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield).  WP was unable to rally, giving Montclair State its ninth win in conference play.

Junior James Young (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) got the start for WP throwing 4.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned), striking out two.  Junior Glenn Flora (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) suffered the loss in relief, allowing two runs (none earned) on eight hits, striking out five.  Freshman Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) tossed 1.2 innings, striking out one.

Sophomore John Silvestri picked up the win in relief throwing 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and striking out two.  Senior Zach Brown started for the Red Hawks, tossing 5.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits, striking out two.  Junior Jake Campbell recorded his second save of the year throwing one inning, striking out one. 

Martini finished the day 4-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored, while Glozzy went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.  Bond was 2-for-4 with a RBI and crossed the plate twice.

Ptaszynski went 3-for-5 with 2 runs batted in and a run scored for the Pioneers, and Lauer was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.  Montanile was 1-for-4 with two RBI.

William Paterson will host Rutgers-Camden for a NJAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m.