NEWARK, N.J. – Sophomore shortstop Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) was a combined 5-for-8 at the plate as the William Paterson softball team (11-6-1, 2-2 NJAC) swept host Rutgers-Newark (7-9, 1-5 NJAC), 4-1 and 12-3, April 4.
 
Game One
After stranding seven runners during the game's first six innings, WP broke through for a four-run seventh to come away with a 4-1 win.
 
Freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Poretti (Florence, N.J./Florence Memorial) started the frame with a single and advanced to second on an error on the play, then was sacrificed to third by senior first baseman Melissa Swain (West Berlin, N.J./Paul VI). Sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) followed with her first home run of the season, a shot down the left-field line, to get the Pioneers on the scoreboard. Senior center fielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) reached base thanks to an error and senior Keanna Ross (Pine Hill, N.J./Overbrook Senior) knocked her in with a pinch-hit double to left. After a flyout, sophomore pinch hitter Salina Pellios (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) drove in Ross with an RBI-single.
 
The Scarlet Raiders touched home once during the home half of the same frame, using a pair of singles and a double.
 
Poretti finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Nicole Fryer drove in a pair of runs with her homer. Sophomore pitcher Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) improved to 3-3, tossing a complete-game four-hitter with seven strikeouts.
 
Four different Scarlet Raiders accounted for Rutgers-Newark's four hits. Freshman Kelly Yusko (3-3) allowed four runs (three earned) and 10 hits, posting four strikeouts and a walk.
 
Game Two
WP scored during all but one of its at-bats to finish the day with a 12-3 victory.
 
Ross reached base via a two-out error and Wasilak doubled her in for a 1-0 first-inning lead.
 
Rutgers-Newark put two runs on the scoreboard during the bottom half of the first, using a two-out single and a Yusko home run.
 
The Scarlet Raiders added to their lead with one second-inning run, taking advantage of a bases-loaded fielder's choice.
 
The Pioneers leveled the score during the top of the third. Nicole Fryer sent a one-out single to center, and an error during Principe's at-bat left her on third base and pushed across Nicole Fryer. A squeeze bunt by Ross plated Principe and made it a 3-3 game.
 
William Paterson took the lead for good in the fourth, as junior left fielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, N.J./Park Ridge) led off with a base hit, was sacrificed to second by sophomore pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) and crossed home on a Poretti single to center.
 
A two-run home run by sophomore catcher Kim Fryer (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) made it a 6-3 margin in the fifth, and WP added four more in the sixth. Senior pitcher Kerrin Dys (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) doubled to center field and sophomore Meghin Stanton (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington Regional) put down a pinch-hit bunt single. Poretti singled in Dys and Nicole Fryer knocked in Stanton with a base hit, then sophomore pinch hitter Zigmary Colon (Paterson, N.J./Passaic County Tech) had a bunt single to load the bases. A Ross fly ball plated Poretti, and Colon later touched home on a double steal.
 
The Pioneers added two more runs during the top of the seventh inning. Wimmershoff started things off with a base on balls and Dys doubled to right before freshman third baseman Sam Rothenberger (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) delivered a two-run single to left field.
 
Wasilak finished 4-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored, while Nicole Fryer, Principe, Dys and Poretti each had a pair of hits. Castelli (5-3) gave up three hits and three runs (two earned) during 4.0 innings inside the circle, striking out four. Dys earned a three-inning save (one), scattering two hits.
 
Sophomore third baseman Anna Carlson led the Scarlet Raiders at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 and scoring a run. Freshman starter Morgan Walizer took the loss (1-3), allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits in 3.2 innings with two strikeouts.
 
William Paterson will play a doubleheader at Montclair State Monday, April 6, at 3:00 p.m.
 
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