BOX SCORE

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Second-seeded Montclair State (38-3) scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the fifth-seeded William Paterson softball team (19-20), 4-2, in its opening round game of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament April 30.

The Pioneers will face sixth-seeded Kean for game two of the double-elimination tournament Friday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J.

The Red Hawks, who are tied for first in the latest national poll, got on the board during the bottom of the first, putting runners on second and third with one out.  A Pioneer error and a sacrifice fly plated two runs and gave Montclair State an early 2-0 lead.

The Pioneers got a run back in the top of the second. With two outs, freshman outfielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) lined a single under the third baseman's glove and sophomore second baseman Christina Austin (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) blasted a double to left field to cut Montclair State's lead to 2-1.

During the top of the third, senior outfielder Samantha Mulderig (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) doubled down the left-field line and scored on a Montclair State throwing error to tie the game at 2-2.

After the Red Hawks put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the inning, sophomore pitcher Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J. / North Arlington) was able to get a ground out to the mound and a fly out to center field to escape the jam without allowing a run.

The Pioneers threatened in the fifth, but were unable to push a run across.

Montclair State retook the lead during the bottom of the fifth.  After the Red Hawks loaded the bases with one out, an error and sacrifice fly scored two runs and gave Montclair State a 4-2 lead.  With two outs, junior shortstop Katelyn Miele (Flanders, N.J./Pope John XXIII) made a diving play to stop a ball from going up the middle and got the out at second to prevent further damage.

Mulderig and Austin each collected two hits for the Pioneers. Dys (5-9) took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits in 4.2 innings.  Kelsey Hand (Mountainville, N.Y./Cornwall) struck out one batter in 1.1 innings of relief.

Jamie Paulino went 3-for-3 with two runs scored to pace the Red Hawks. Alex Hill improved to 30-3 on the season, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and striking out seven in the victory.

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