CLERMONT, FLA. – The No. 20 William Paterson softball team (7-3) started the day with a 3-0 victory against Wisconsin-Stout (6-7), then took No. 7 Luther (15-0) to extra innings before falling 3-2 March 19 at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.
 
Game One
Sophomore pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) faced just two batters over the minimum as WP defeated the Blue Devils, 3-0.
 
The Pioneers pushed across one run during the top of the first inning, as sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) started the frame by reaching base on an error, was sacrificed to second by senior center fielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) and later scored on another error.
 
Senior second baseman Christina Austin (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) singled up the middle and stole second to start the third inning, then advanced to third thanks to a Fryer sacrifice. Senior designated player Kristen Gardner (Audubon, N.J./Methacton) sent her home with a pinch-hit single, making it a 2-0 score.
 
WP scored its final run in the seventh. An error put sophomore pinch hitter Salina Pellios (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) aboard, and she was lifted for pinch runner Carly Satter (Branchville, N.J./High Point Regional). Junior left fielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) sacrificed her to second and Austin's single left Satter at third. Two batters later, Principe drove her in with a single to make it a 3-0 margin.
 
Auustin was 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Castelli (4-0) struck out five while scattering two hits during the complete-game shutout.
 
Beth Wood took the loss (0-3), allowing two runs (one earned) and a pair of hits during 3.0 innings inside the circle.
 
Game Two
William Paterson took an early lead, but No. 7 Luther rallied for a 3-2, eight-inning win.
 
The Pioneers snatched a 1-0 first-inning lead. Principe drew a one-out walk and stole second, and a two-out single by sophomore third baseman Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) gave WP the early advantage.
 
The Norse stranded seven baserunners before breaking through for a pair of runs during the top of the seventh. Two singles were followed by a sacrifice bunt and a walk, and then a double gave Luther a 2-1 edge.
 
WP forced extra innings by pushing across a run in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a Wasilak leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly by sophomore catcher Kim Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South).
 
It took two outs for the Norse to get the tiebreaker runner from second to third base, but they were able to come up with an RBI-single to right for a 3-2 lead. The Pioneers were able to sacrifice the runner to third base during the home half of the same frame, but a groundout and flyout ended the scoring threat.
 
Wasilak went 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored. Sophomore Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) surrendered eight hits and two runs in 6.1 innings, posting one strikeout and two walks. Castelli suffered her first loss (4-1), giving up one unearned run on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.
 
Right fielder Ashley Burrows and designated player Lindsey Uphoff were both 3-for-4 at the plate for Luther. Amanda Witzlib (7-0) gave up two runs and four hits while pitching the complete game, collecting six strikeouts with one walk.
 
William Paterson will finish its trip Saturday, March 21, playing Lawrence at 5:00 p.m. and Carthage at 7:00 p.m.
 
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