BOX SCORE

UNION, N.J. – William Paterson (20-10, 8-4 NJAC) took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but couldn't hold on to the lead at No. 2/3 Kean (26-6, 10-2 NJAC), dropping a 4-2 decision on April 19.

Sophomore Mike Arnold (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) led off the Pioneer half of the third with a walk and advanced to third on junior second baseman Scott Ptaszynski's (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) single through the right side.  The first run of the game was plated on a wild pitch, which also allowed Ptaszynski to move into scoring position.  Freshman left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) reached on a fielder's choice bunt, and moved to second on an AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) ground ball to the left side.  Garguilo scored on a single to right center by senior center fielder Ryan Gibbons (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) to put William Paterson in front, 2-0.

It wasn't until the eighth inning that Kean found the scoreboard.  Freshman Matt Meleo punched a one-out single.  A wild pitch would move him into scoring position and junior Tyler Smarslok forced a walk.  As Smarslok moved to first, Meleo moved to third on another wild pitch.  With runners on the corners, starter Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) got a strikeout of Andy Lopez, but Smarslok stole second.  Meleo then broke for home for the first Cougar run.  Nick Ramagli walked and Smarslok moved a base with another wild pitch.  A double steal tied the ballgame up at two.  Junior Joe O'Connor then gave the Cougars the lead for good with an RBI single.  O'Connor moved into scoring position by stealing second, and advanced to third on an overthrow.  He scored on a wild pitch to put Kean in front 4-2.

Coral went 8.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts for the Pioneers. 

Kean's Kevin Herget allowed two runs in 9.0 innings of work.

Gibbons was 1-for-3 with a RBI and Garguilo was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

William Paterson will host New Jersey City Saturday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m. at Jeff Albies Field.

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