GLASSBORO, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (24-9-1, 11-5 NJAC) pulled off a doubleheader sweep at No. 9 Rowan (30-4, 12-4 NJAC) April 21, upsetting the top team in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings with 3-0 and 8-0 (six innings) decisions.
 
With the victories, the Pioneers moved into third place in the league standings between idle Ramapo (11-2-1 NJAC) and The College of New Jersey (10-4 NJAC). WP has two regular-season league games remaining, a doubleheader at Stockton April 25.
 
Game One
Two timely hits allowed the Pioneers to come away with a 3-0 opening win.
 
Sophomore catcher Kim Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) and senior first baseman Melissa Swain (West Berlin, N.J./Paul VI) were issued one-out walks during the top of the third inning, and the pair advanced 60 feet thanks to a groundout by sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South). Senior center fielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) cleared the bases with her single to right-center field and the Pioneers owned a 2-0 advantage.
 
Nicole Fryer reached first base via an error to start the top of the sixth, followed by a Principe sacrifice bunt and an RBI-single off the bat of sophomore shortstop Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) for a 3-0 WP edge.
 
Principe and Wasilak accounted for the Pioneers' two hits. Sophomore Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) improved to 8-4 inside the circle, scattering four hits over 7.0 shutout innings with five strikeouts and two walks.
 
Freshman Mia Baldassari was 2-for-3 for the Profs. Junior Beth Ann Hyland (13-2) gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits, four strikeouts and two walks.
 
Game Two
Sophomore pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) went 2-for-3 with five RBI at the plate as the Pioneers finished off the sweep with an 8-0, six-inning victory.  
 
William Paterson broke through for four runs during the top half of the fourth inning. Wasilak doubled to center to open the frame, and after a strikeout, senior catcher Lachelle Rouse (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook Senior) was issued a base on balls. Castelli drilled a two-run double to right-center field, followed by a foulout and a stolen base. Junior left fielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) singled in Castelli, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and then touched home herself thanks to an infield single by freshman third baseman Sam Rothenberger (Livingston, N.J./Livingston).
 
The Pioneers added three more runs in the fifth. Back-to-back one-out doubles by Wasilak and senior designated player Kristen Gardner (Audubon, N.J./Methacton) and a Rouse hit by pitch loaded the bases for Castelli, who drilled a two-bagger to left-center field for a 7-0 lead.
 
Principe put down a bunt single and advanced to second via a throwing error, moved to third thanks to a wild pitch and scored when Wasilak singled during the top half of the sixth inning.
 
Wasilak finished 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Castelli (10-4) gave up four hits while striking out five and walking two for the complete-game victory.
 
Sophomore right fielder Sammy Vradenburg went 2-for-2 for the Profs. Junior starter Allison Nolan took the loss (10-1), giving up four runs and five hits over 3.2 innings with two strikeouts and one walk.
 
William Paterson will host DeSales for a doubleheader Thursday, April 23, at 3:30 p.m.
 
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