NEWARK, N.J. – William Paterson softball (14-4, 1-1) dropped its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener to Rutgers-Newark, 3-2, but salvaged a series split by taking the night cap, 8-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One

• The Scarlet Raiders got on the scoreboard first, using three hits and two walks to cross the plate three times during its first at-bat.
• WP got a pair of runs back in the top of the fifth, beginning with junior center fielder Vanessa Archibold's (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook) single that plated freshman catcher Emma Cooney (Livingston, N.J./Livingston). Junior second baseman Andee Lupica (Maywood, N.J./Immaculate Conception) followed with a run-scoring single to left field to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Game Two

• Sophomore shortstop Sydney Pace (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) opened the scoring during WP's first at-bat with a two-out RBI-single that scored senior third baseman Christine Griffith (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional) and Archibold, while Cooney's double to left plated two as the Pioneers opened a 4-0 advantage.
• Rutgers-Newark scored three time during the home half of the first, but WP pushed its lead to 6-3 courtesy of a RBI-triple from sophomore first baseman Caitlyn Massaro (Madison, N.J./Madison) and a sac fly by Pace.
• A pair of run-scoring singles from Lupica and Massaro pushed the Pioneers' advantage to 8-3 in the fifth.
• The Scarlet Raiders tallied two runs in the seventh to conclude the scoring.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Game One

• Archibold finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base, while Lupica added a pair of hits and an RBI.
• Junior righty Alex Grubiak (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) did not allow a run in 5.2 innings of relief work, striking out three.

Game Two

• Griffith went 3-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored, while Massaro was 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.
• Pace finished with three RBI and a run scored, and Cooney drove in two.
• In the circle, Grubiak improved her record to 6-2, giving up two runs (one earned) over the final 6.1 innings.

UP NEXT:

• WP travels to Rowan of an NJAC doubleheader on Tuesday, April 2, at 3:00 p.m.

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