Video Highlights 

WAYNE, N.J. – The No. 17 William Paterson softball team (9-5, 0-2 NJAC) suffered a pair of 3-0 losses to visiting The College of New Jersey (9-3, 2-0 NJAC) March 29 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener for both schools.
 
Game One
A pair of fourth-inning runs broke the game open for the Lions during the opening contest.
 
After coming up with just one hit during the opening three innings, TCNJ started the fourth with a bloop single to right field by freshman left fielder Madison Levine. Junior catcher Jamie Purcell dropped a single into left and the throw in got past the second baseman, a multi-base error that allowed Levine to touch home plate. Sophomore right fielder Colleen Phelan then singled in Purcell and the Lions owned a 2-0 lead.
 
Junior designated player Deanna Utter hit a solo home run down the left-field line for a 3-0 TCNJ edge in the sixth.
 
The Pioneers got two singles to start the bottom on the sixth, but could not capitalize on the opportunity.
 
Sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) went 2-for-3 for the Pioneers at the plate. Sophomore pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) in 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking two (4-2). Sophomore Meghin Stanton (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington Regional) tossed 1.2 innings of hitless relief, posting three strikeouts.
 
Utter finished 2-for-3 with a homer. Junior Ashtin Helmer scattered five hits during the complete-game shutout (3-1), registering eight strikeouts.
 
Game Two
TCNJ broke the scoreless deadlock with three runs during the top half of the seventh inning.
 
The Pioneers had chances early with runners on second and third with one out during the bottom of the first, and two on with no one out in the third, but could not cash in.
 
The Lions' Olivia Fahr drew a one-out walk during the top of the seventh, and a throwing error on a sacrifice attempt by junior center fielder Christine Desiderio was enough for Fahr to score from first. Freshman second baseman Bria Bartsch singled in Desiderio from third, and a Levine base hit to left and a wild pitch put runners on second and third for TCNJ. Purcell's groundout then plated Bartsch for a 3-0 score.
 
Four different Pioneers accounted for WP's four hits. Sophomore Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) fell to 2-3, giving up four hits and three runs (one earned) during 7.0 innings inside the circle, striking out eight and walking three.
 
Bartsch finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for the Lions. Junior Katie Hourihan (4-2) tossed a complete-game shutout with three strikeouts and one walk.
 
William Paterson will play two games at Montclair State Tuesday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m.
 
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