BOX SCORE

HOBOKEN, N.J. – Senior outfielder Ryan Gibbons' (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) three-run homer in the top of the ninth lifted the William Paterson baseball team (10-3) to a 7-4 victory at Stevens (9-5) March 27.

The Ducks struck first, using a single, stolen base, passed ball and a double steal to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.  Stevens tacked on two more in the fourth, thanks to a two-run, two-out double.

WP evened things during the top of the fifth inning.  Singles from junior first baseman Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) and junior second baseman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) and a hit by pitch for freshman designated hitter Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) loaded the bases for freshman shortstop K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley), who drove in all three with his double down the left-field line.

Curt Lowenstein doubled, stole third and scored on a fielding error on the play, nudging the Ducks ahead by a 4-3 count after five.  The Pioneers again fought back to get the equalizer.  Junior third baseman Rich Guillod (Closter, N.J./Northern Valley-Demarest) drew a walk to start the top of the sixth, stole second and advanced to third when senior catcher Vin Fondacaro (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) singled through the right side.  A ground-ball double play allowed Guillod to scamper home, making it a 4-4 score.

Ptaszynski started the top half of the ninth with a walk, and junior Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) delivered a pinch-hit single through the left side of the infield.  An Abel fielder's choice resulted in Ptaszynski heading to the dugout, but after a strikeout, Gibbons blasted a two-out pitch over the fence in center field to give WP its first lead of the night.  Freshman pitcher Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) retired the side in order during the bottom of the ninth to preserve the victory.

Seven different Pioneers accounted for William Paterson's seven hits.  Sophomore starter Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) tossed the first 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and five hits.  Senior Tim O'Shea (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) gave up one unearned run in 3.0 innings, and Colasante picked up the victory (1-1), striking out two hitters in 2.0 scoreless innings.

Lowenstein was 2-for-3 and scored a run for Stevens.  Reliever Jayson Yano took the loss (0-2), surrendering three runs in 3.2 innings.

William Paterson will host Staten Island Friday, March 29, at 12:00 p.m.

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