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

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (18-18) split a doubleheader with DeSales (23-10-1) April 25, bouncing back from a 5-3 loss to win game two 4-2.
 
GAME ONE
The Bulldogs scored four runs in the third and quelled a Pioneer rally in the seventh on their way to defeating William Paterson 5-3 in game one. 

DeSales took a 1-0 lead during the top of the first inning when freshman DJ McCauley singled to center and sophomore Carly Bartholomew doubled to right field.

The Pioneers tied the game in the bottom of the second.  Freshman catcher Liz DeVenio (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) lined a leadoff single to center field and junior pinch runner Laura Henriquez (Westampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore pitcher Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J. / North Arlington).  Freshman outfielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) singled to the shortstop to bring in WP's first run of the game.

The Bulldogs loaded the bases with no outs during the top of the third. A two-run single from McCauley, a wild pitch and a single to center field from Shelby Wilson plated four runs, giving DeSales a 5-1 lead.

DeSales threatened in the top half of the fifth, once again loading the bases with no outs. However, Dys pitched out of the jam, getting two groundouts and a strikeout to escape the inning without any damage.

After sophomore outfielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) lined a double to left field, she advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore designated player Lachelle Rouse (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook Senior) to bring the score to 5-2 after five innings.

The Pioneers rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with just one out. Relief pitcher Ericka Esposito forced an infield pop-up for the second out and a ground ball back to the mound, but senior outfielder Samantha Mulderig (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) beat the throw to the plate to make the score 5-3. Esposito then notched a strikeout for the final out of the inning and the game.

Principe went 3-for-3 with one run scored to lead the Pioneers. Dys (5-7) gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits and struck out two batters in the loss.

McCauley collected three hits, two RBI and two runs scored to pace the Bulldogs.  She also threw 6.1 innings in the circle, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out three to earn the win and improve to 12-4 on the season. Esposito picked up the save, striking out one in 0.2 innings of relief.

GAME TWO
Led by Principe, the Pioneers scored three runs during the bottom of the fourth to come from behind and win game two, 4-2.

During the bottom of the first, Mulderig led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Henriquez.  DeVenio lined a single to center field to score Mulderig and give the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead.

Four consecutive singles plated two runs for the Bulldogs in the top of the second inning and brought the score to 2-1.

The Pioneers fought back during the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a two-run, pinch-hit single from Principe, who later stole home to give the Pioneers a 4-2 lead. 

DeSales threatened in the fifth, putting runners on first and second with one out.  Freshman pitcher Chelsea Batelli (Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic) forced a foul out, and a strong throw from junior shortstop Katelyn Miele (Flanders, N.J./Pope John XXIII) on a ground ball behind the second base bag was able to get Michelle Gessner out at the plate to end the inning.

Taylor Kelly went 2-for-3 to pace the Bulldogs.  Rachel Vogel (5-4) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in 6.0 innings.

Mulderig and Wimmershoff each collected a hit and scored a run. Batelli improved to 8-7 on the season, allowing two runs on nine hits and striking out three in 7.0 innings.

William Paterson will celebrate Senior Day when it hosts The College of New Jersey for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 27, at 1:00 p.m.

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