CLERMONT, FLA. – The William Paterson softball team (2-1) split a pair of contests March 13 at the Spring Games as the Pioneers blanked Wisconsin-Platteville (4-4) 7-0 but dropped its earlier contest against Arcadia (6-3), 2-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST ARCADIA:

• The Knights took a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning on a double to left-center field which drove in the runner on second base.
• Arcadia put runners in to scoring position in the bottom of the third on a single to third base, a fielder's choice and fielding error to second, and a fly ball to center fielder which was followed up by a ground out to the first baseman that brought in the runner from third for the 2-0 Knights lead.
• The Pioneers put themselves on the scoreboard during the top of the fifth as senior left fielder Crystal Arendas (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional) reached second base on a walk and a stolen base which set up senior center fielder Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) for an RBI-double down the left field line to narrow the deficit to 2-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Freshman Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) came in for 2.2 relief innings, allowing no hits and striking out five of nine batters. 
• Naveo went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a double.
• Arendas scored the teams lone run.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE:

• WP took the advantage in the bottom of the third inning as Arendas singled through the right side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Naveo. This set up senior shortstop Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) for an RBI-single to center field that brought Arendas home for the 1-0 Pioneer lead.
• William Paterson put together a five-run fifth inning for a 4-0 edge. Arendas reached on a bunt and was brought home again by Nunziato who hit her first home run of the season. Graduate student right fielder Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton) immediately stepped up to the plate and hit a home run of her own. Senior designated hitter Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) singled through the right side and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield). Sophomore first baseman Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) reached on a fielder's choice and sophomore Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) singled to center field, setting up junior third baseman Kilee Oertel (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) for a two-run shot to right field to make it 6-0 Pioneers.
• WP added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Naveo singled through the left side and advanced to second before being brought home by McDaniel, who launched an RBI-double left center, giving the Pioneers the 7-0 lead.

 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Freshman pitcher Lindsey Acker (Wenoah, N.J./Deptford) earned her first collegiate win in the circle in her first start with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing only two hits and zero runs, while Miller shined in relief against Arcadia with 2.2 innings pitched and struck out out five of nine batters.
• Nunziato finished the day with three RBI and a two-run homer while McDaniel finished with three hits, two RBI and a home run.
• Arendas scored two runs in the contest.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will see a quick turnaround at the Spring Games Monday, March 14, squaring off with Cortland State at 10:15 a.m. and Simpson College at 12:15 p.m.

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