KISSIMMEE, FLA. – William Paterson softball (3-1) earned their third-straight victory by downing Washington College, 6-3, and Plymouth State, 4-3, on day two of The Spring Games.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS WASHINGTON COLLEGE:
- WP opened the scoring in the home half of the first when sophomore first baseman Caitlyn Massaro's (Madison, N.J./Madison) sacrifice fly plated junior center fielder Vanessa Archibold (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook).
- The Pioneers blew the game wide open with a three-run third, beginning with Massaro's RBI single to center that scored Archibold from second. Freshman designated player Brianna Young (Egg Harbor City, N.J./Cedar Creek) saw her first collegiate hit, a single to center, drive in senior third baseman Christine Griffith (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional) and freshman pinch runner Crystal Arendas (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional) as WP went ahead 4-0 after three innings.
- Washington College threatened in the top of the fourth, but junior pitcher Alex Grubiak (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded jam to preserve the lead.
- In the bottom of the fourth, junior right fielder Ryan Tighe (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) came around to score on Massaro's RBI-grounder, while a perfectly executed double steal by Massaro and Archibold pushed WP's advantage to 6-0.
- Four singles and a bases-loaded walk plated three Shorewomen runs during the top of the sixth before Grubiak returned to the mound to record the final four outs of the contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED VS PLYMOUTH STATE:
- WP struck first in the top of the second when freshman catcher Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) tripled to left, plating classmate Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) and giving the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
- Freshman right fielder Janaya Espino (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic County Tech) opened the third with a walk, was sacrificed to second by Tighe, then came around to score when Massaro knocked a single to left center. Griffith added an RBI triple, while Nunziato followed with a run-scoring double as WP surged ahead, 4-0.
- One run in the sixth and two in the seventh allowed Plymouth State to make it a one-run affair, 4-3, but WP survived the scare and held on for the win.
- Massaro (1-0) excelled in her first start of the season, twirling 6.0 innings and striking out three to earn her first victory.
- Grubiak pitched one inning of relief to earn her second save in as many days.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Archibold paced the Pioneers in game one, going 3-for-3 while crossing the plate three time and swiping three bases.
- Massaro finished the day 4-for-6 with four RBI.
- Grubiak (one win, two saves) has factored into all three WP triumphs over the past two days.
UP NEXT:
- WP resumes play on Tuesday, March 11, as the Pioneers face UMASS Boston at 9:30 a.m. and Arcadia at 2:30 p.m.
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