BOX SCORE 

GLASSBORO, N.J. - The fourth-seeded William Paterson baseball team (29-12) dropped a 7-6 decision in extra innings to third-seeded Rowan (29-11) in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener, May 1.

A single and two walks had loaded the bases for Rowan in the bottom of the 10th inning as Kevin McMenamin delivered a walk-off base hit down the right-field line to give the Profs a 7-6 victory.

Rowan put up runs in each of the first two innings to take an early lead.  Two singles and a fielder's choice by Nick Turano scored the first run for the Profs in the bottom of the first.  A single to left field by freshman Nick Kreiger in the second inning plated senior Felix Colarte, who had previously reached on a bunt single.  With the bases loaded, sophomore Mark Benak grounded into a fielder's choice that resulted in a run.  A single through the left side by senior Marc Magliaro scored the third run of the inning for the Profs to extend the lead to 4-0.

Senior shortstop Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) led off the Pioneer third inning with a single to right-center.  Sophomore second baseman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) singled to right, and senior first baseman Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) laced a double to left field, allowing Dorio to score.  WP was able to cut the lead in half on an Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) double to left that plated Montanile, making it a 4-2 game.

The Pioneers used a four-run sixth inning to take the lead.  Derner was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and junior catcher Vin Fondacaro (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock) squared around to sacrifice, but a miscue by the Rowan defense allowed him to reach safely.  Senior outfielder Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) grounded into a fielder's choice that recorded the first out of the inning at third, but sophomore A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) drew a walk to load the bases for the Pioneers.  Dorio drew the bases-loaded walk to score Fondacaro, and Somers was able to cross home on a wild pitch to knot the score 4-4.  Junior outfielder Ryan Gibbons (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) roped a one-hopper to the first baseman who mishandled the ball, allowing Dorio and Flores to score, putting the Pioneers in front 6-4.

The Profs responded in the bottom of the seventh frame with McMenamin's two-out double to right-center and was able to score on junior C.J. Szymczak's single down the left-field line to close the gap, 6-5.  Rowan evened the score at 6-6 on a Magliaro single to right that plated Kreiger, who had laced a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth. 

Sophomore Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) suffered his first loss of the season (7-1) allowing one earned run on three hits in 1.2 relief innings.  Junior Tim O'Shea (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson) threw the first 7.2 innings for the Pioneers, allowing six runs on ten hits, striking out three.

Senior Ryan Peterson picked up the win for the Profs tossing 4.1 hitless innings in relief.  Senior Curtis Arsi started the game surrendering six runs (two earned) and striking out four.  Magliaro was 3-for-5 with two RBI, and Szymczak went 3-for-5 with a run-batted-in.

Dorio finished 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored for WP, while Derner was 1-for-4 with a run-batted-in.

Due to a forfeit by top-seeded Montclair State, the remainder of the tournament schedule will be determined and released Wednesday, May 2.