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

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (17-17, 9-7 NJAC) won game two of its doubleheader, 4-1, to upset No. 1 Montclair State (34-2, 14-2 NJAC) April 23. The Pioneers fell to the Red Hawks, 4-3, in game one. 

With two regular-season league games remaining, the Pioneers are in a three-way tie for fourth place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings. The top six teams will qualify for the double-elimination NJAC Tournament that starts Tuesday, April 30. 
 
GAME ONE
Montclair State scored two runs in the fifth inning to come from behind and defeat WP, 4-3, in game one.

The Pioneers rallied with two outs during the top of the first to score the first run of the game.  Junior shortstop Katelyn Miele (Flanders, N.J./Pope John XXIII) singled up the middle, stole second base and scored on a single from sophomore catcher Lachelle Rouse (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook Senior) to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead. 

WP struck again in the second inning, taking advantage of Montclair State mistakes. Freshman outfielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) reached on an error and sophomore pitcher Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J. / North Arlington) took first on catcher's interference. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice from junior pinch hitter Danielle Capozzi (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place). With two outs, senior outfielder Samantha Mulderig (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) singled to right field to increase the Pioneer lead to 3-0.

Montclair State got two runs back during the bottom of the third.  With the bases loaded and one out, Alisha Cumberton lifted a deep fly ball to left field to plate the Red Hawks' first run. Tara Petrucelli then singled down the left-field line to cut the Pioneers' lead to 3-2. However, Dys was able to get the final two outs of the inning and prevent further damage.

The Red Hawks took a 4-3 lead during the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by an RBI double from Melany Zeller.

Rouse went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Mulderig collected two hits and two RBI to lead the Pioneers. Dys (5-6) took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out five.

Jamie Paulino and Petrucelli each collected two hits for Montclair State. Alex Hill (27-1) allowed three runs (one earned) and struck out nine batters to earn the win.

GAME TWO
Led by a two-run home run from Miele and a strong pitching performance from senior Kelsey Hand (Mountainville, N.Y./Cornwall), the Pioneers upset the Red Hawks, 4-1, in game two.

Once again WP scored during the first inning when sophomore outfielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) singled up the middle and Miele blasted a home run over the left-field fence to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, Montclair State loaded the bases with one out, but only managed to score one run on a sacrifice fly from Hill.

The Red Hawks loaded the bases again during the second, but Hand pitched out of the jam without any damage.

During the top of the fifth, Hand led off with a double to right-center field. Sophomore pinch runner Laura Henriquez (Westampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Capozzi and came around to score on a Mulderig triple.  Principe hit a grounder to the pitcher which turned into a throwing error, allowing Principe to advance to second and Mulderig to score to extend the Pioneers' lead to 4-1.

Mulderig went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to pace WP. Hand (5-4) allowed just one unearned run on six hits and struck out two in the win.

Dana Amato recorded two hits to lead Montclair State. Hill (27-2) picked up the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and striking out nine.

William Paterson will host DeSales for a doubleheader on Thursday, April 25, at 3:00 p.m.

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