BOX SCORE (Game #1)
BOX SCORE (Game #2)

GALLOWAY, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (11-15, 5-5 NJAC) split a doubleheader with Richard Stockton (19-8, 4-6 NJAC) April 13, bouncing back from a 1-0 loss to win game two 3-1.
 
GAME ONE
Stockton needed just one run to defeat the Pioneers in the first game of the afternoon.

The Ospreys got on the board during the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and one out, sophomore second baseman Christina Austin (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) got the force out at the plate for the second out of the inning, but Grace Long then singled to give Stockton an early 1-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Pioneers threatened when junior shortstop Katelyn Miele (Flanders, N.J./Pope John XXIII) led off with a single and advanced to third on two consecutive sacrifices. However, Stockton forced a groundout to end the rally. 

Miele recorded the only Pioneer hit of the game.  Freshman Chelsea Batelli (Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic) fell to 5-7 on the season, giving up an unearned run on seven hits in 6.0 innings.

Gianna Cuffari and Long each collected two hits for the Ospreys, and Michelle Pietrocola (9-4) earned the win, allowing just one hit in 7.0 shutout innings and striking out nine batters.

GAME TWO
Sophomore Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J. / North Arlington) pitched a two-hitter and blasted a home run to lift WP over Stockton, 3-1.

The Pionners took an early 1-0 lead during the top of the first when Miele reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and advanced to third and scored on two straight Stockton errors.

In the second, senior designated player Nicole Walls (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional) led off with a single and sophomore pinch runner Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) advanced to third on a passed ball and a groundout. Dys singled to center field to drive in the Pioneers' second run of the game.

Stockton got on the board during the bottom of the third inning when Stephanie Hand hit a home run over the left-field fence.

WP countered with a home run of its own in the fourth, as Dys blasted a solo shot to left-center field to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

Senior outfielder Samantha Mulderig (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) and Walls each contributed two hits for the Pioneers. Dys (3-5) earned the victory, allowing one run on two hits and striking out one batter in 7.0 innings.

Heather Corica and Hand picked up Stockton's only two hits of the game. Brittany Ksiezopolski (9-4) took the loss, giving up three runs (one earned) on eight hits in 4.2 innings.

William Paterson will celebrate Pioneer Pride Day when it hosts Kean for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m.

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