WAYNE, N.J. – After spotting the Red Hawks an early nine-run lead, No. 23 William Paterson (20-6, 11-4 NJAC) rallied to get the go-ahead run to the plate late, but Montclair State (19-5, 11-4 NJAC) was able to hold on for a 12-9 baseball victory April 29.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Red Hawks crossed the plate twice during the top half of the first inning with a walk, sacrifice, balk, passed ball and solo homer.
- The Pioneers answered with a three-run second. Junior right fielder Steve Yelin (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) opened with a leadoff walk and senior first baseman Carson Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) singled to center field before junior designated hitter Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) blasted a home run to left center, making it a 3-2 WP edge.
- Montclair State exploded for 10 runs in the top half of the third inning, using nine hits (seven singles, two doubles), a hit by pitch, a wild pitch, an RBI-groundout and a walk.
- Senior catcher Dylan Habeeb (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) singled to right field and Yelin homered to deep left, making it a 12-5 game in the fifth.
- Senior left fielder Frankie Deane (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) drew a one-out walk and junior second baseman Colin Lombardo (Edison, N.J./Edison) lined a two-out pitch down the left-field line for his second career home run, pulling William Paterson to within five at 12-7 after six frames.
- WP added two more in the eighth, thanks to a Weis leadoff walk and a Carter two-run shot to right-center field, making it a 12-9 score. Deane was then issued a base on balls, and after a strikeout, Lombardo single through the left side, groundout and Matt Ferrara (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) walk, the bases were loaded with two outs. However, the Pioneers were unable to add any more to their tally, as a strikeout ended the inning.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- All nine of the Pioneers' runs scored via the long ball. Carter was 2-for-4 with a pair of homers and five RBI, and Lombardo finished 2-for-4 while adding a two-run homer. Yelin went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run.
- Senior Jason Palmeri (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) was charged with eight runs allowed, eight hits and a walk during 2.0 innings (4-3).
- Junior Matt Lawler (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional) gave up four runs on four hits, walking one and striking out one during 1.0 inning. Freshman Pat Warburton (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) spun the final 6.0 innings, scattering three hits and four walks without allowing a run, striking out three.
UP NEXT:
- Now tied for second place in the league standings, William Paterson and Montclair State will square off Friday, April 30, in Montclair at 3:30 p.m.
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