CLERMONT, FLA. – The No. 22 William Paterson softball team (5-1) suffered its first loss of the season, 5-3 against Hamilton (1-2), but bounced back for a 7-3 victory against Utica (1-3) March 16 at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.
 
Game One
WP owned an early 3-0 lead but couldn't hold off the Continentals, 5-3.
 
The Pioneers crossed the plate three times during the bottom of the third inning. Senior center fielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) started the frame with an infield single and was sacrificed to second by senior second baseman Christina Austin (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.). Sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) singled in Principe, then stole second before a flyout for the second out. Sophomore third baseman Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) drew a walk, followed by a Melissa Swain (West Berlin, N.J./Paul VI) base hit and error that combined to plate Fryer and Wasilak.
 
Ellie Kiernan tied up the game with a three-run homer during the top of the fourth, and a pair of doubles in the sixth handed Hamilton a 4-3 edge. A single, stolen base, sacrifice and error added a Continental seventh-inning insurance run.
 
WP had the tying run on third base with one out in the sixth, and had two runners aboard with no outs in the seventh, but could not capitalize.
 
Swain was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Senior starter Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) allowed three runs and four hits in 3.1 innings of work, posting one strikeout. Sophomore Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) took the loss in relief (1-1), giving up three hits and two runs with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
 
Kelly Leonard improved to 1-1 with a complete-game effort, surrendering eight hits and three runs (two earned), walking two and striking out a pair.
 
Game Two
William Paterson built a 6-0 lead by the middle of the fourth inning en route to a 7-3 victory against Utica.
 
The Pioneers got on the scoreboard three times in the second. Senior designated player Keanna Ross (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook Senior) started the frame with a single through the left side and was sacrificed to second by sophomore pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove). Junior left fielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) was then hit by a pitch, and a double steal gave WP a pair of runners in scoring position. Austin filled the vacant bag via a walk, and Nicole Fryer cleared the bases with her double to left field.
 
WP doubled its lead during the top half of the fourth. Austin reached thanks to a two-out hit by pitch, Principe had a bunt single and Nicole Fryer drove them in with another double to left. Freshman shortstop Kaitlyn Poretti (Florence, N.J./Florence Memorial) singled in Fryer for a 6-0 score.
 
Utica posted three runs during the home half of the same frame, taking advantage of three hits and an error.
 
Ross doubled to start seventh and was lifted for pinch runner Carly Satter (Branchville, N.J./High Point Regional), who advanced to third on an error and touched home thanks to Wimmershoff's single up the middle.
 
Nicole Fryer went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored and five RBI. Ross finished 2-for-4, hit a double and scored a run.
 
Castelli (2-0) allowed five hits and three runs (one earned) over 4.0 innings, striking out two. Podmajersky earned her second save of the season, giving up four hits and striking out three during 3.0 scoreless innings of relief.
 
Stephanie Siriano led Utica at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Starter Abby Monroe fell to 1-1, surrendering six runs on six hits over 4.0 innings.
 
William Paterson will take on UMass Boston at 1:00 p.m. and Anderson at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18.
 
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