BOX SCORE

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. – Four unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning were the William Paterson baseball team's (7-3) undoing in a 9-5 loss to Babson (4-2) March 20.

The Pioneers got on the scoreboard right away when senior outfielder Ryan Gibbons (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) led off the bottom of the first with a single, advanced to third via two wild pitches and scored thanks to a Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) base hit to right center.

Three singles allowed the Beavers to tie the score during the top of the second, but WP crossed the plate once during the home half of the frame.  Freshman shortstop K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley), senior outfielder Tim O'Shea (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) and freshman outfielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) all drew walks, and Gibbons delivered Abel with a sacrifice fly to left.

William Paterson added to its lead with a pair of third-inning runs.  Senior catcher Vin Fondacaro (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) hit a one-out single and moved to third on a double from junior first baseman .  Two batters later, O'Shea ripped a two-run base hit to right-center field, handing WP a 4-1 edge.

Three hits and five Pioneer errors handed Babson a 5-4 lead during the top of the fifth.  Gibbons' solo homer to right briefly tied the score in the sixth, but the Beavers used four hits and a sac fly to take Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge)command at 8-5 by the seventh-inning stretch, and tacked on a single run in the eighth.

Gibbons was 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.  Fondacaro and Haughney were both 2-for-5 with a run scored, and Ptaszynski finished 2-for-5 and drove in a run.

Senior James Young (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) threw the first 6.0 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs (one earned).  Sophomore Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) took the loss (0-1), giving up three runs without recording an out.  Classmate Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) pitched the final 3.0 innings, surrendering one run on two hits.

Chris Kuchar was 3-for-5 and crossed the plate three times to lead the Beavers.  Hunter Silva earned the victory in relief, allowing three runs on six hits in 6.0 innings of work.

William Paterson will play UMass-Boston Thursday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m.

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