WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (27-9, 9-7 NJAC) dropped a pair of games against visiting No. 14 Rowan (31-7, 14-2 NJAC), 4-0 and 9-0, April 27.
Game One
Three unearned runs during the top of the fifth inning helped the Profs secure an opening 4-0 victory.
Rowan threatened in the third with the bases loaded and two outs, but a lineout to right field ended the frame.
The Pioneers were not as fortunate in the fifth. Following a leadoff popup, an error put freshman center fielder Gianna Genello aboard, and a flyout, Mia Baldassari single to center field and Ashley DeYoung intentional walk loaded the bases. Sophomore right fielder Morgan Smith's ground ball found a sliver of room through the gap on the left side of the infield, plating Genello, and freshman second baseman Carly Anderson's base hit up the middle drove in Baldassari. Sophomore third baseman Nicole Paiotti grounded a chopper up the middle that sophomore second baseman
Kaitlyn Poretti (Florence, N.J./Florence Memorial) snagged but only had time to flip the ball directly from her glove to junior shortstop
Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, N.J./Livingston). Anderson beat the throw into second base, allowing DeYoung to touch home and make it a 3-0 score.
Baldassari homered to right field to open the top of the seventh inning and finish the scoring.
Junior designated hitter
Salina Pellios (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) was 2-for-3 for WP. Junior pitcher
Allison Podmajersky (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) allowed four runs (three unearned) on eight hits and four walks, striking out five (17-4).
Anderson went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Baldassari finished 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Senior Beth Ann Hyland (18-3) scattered five hits over 7.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Game Two
Six scores during their final two at-bats allowed the Profs to pull away for a 9-0 closing win.
Rowan broke through with a three-run fourth inning. Senior catcher Alyssa Sims had a one-out single that left her on second base following an error on the play, and she advanced to third thanks to a Genello infield base hit. Genello stole second before senior shortstop Shilah Snead was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Baldassari. Her single through the right side drove in two runs, and two batters later a Smith fielder's choice allowed Snead to score for a 3-0 Prof advantage.
Two walks and a single loaded the bases for junior first baseman Damariz Mercado in the sixth, and her RBI-single as well as a wild pitch extended the Profs' lead to 5-0.
Three straight base hits pushed across a Rowan run during the top of the seventh inning, and an Anderson two-run single to right center and an error finished the scoring.
Six different Pioneers had a hit. Junior starter
Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) pitched a total of 6.0 innings, surrendering eight hits, five runs and seven walks while collecting five strikeouts (10-5). Podmajersky allowed four runs on five hits and a walk in 1.0 inning inside the circle.
Baldassari went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Senior Allison Nolan (4-0) scattered four hits over 6.0 innings, striking out five.
William Paterson will play a doubleheader at Staten Island Thursday, April 28, at 4:00 p.m.
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