CLERMONT, FLA. – The William Paterson softball team (3-2) was able to put together a four-run seventh inning to defeat SUNY Cortland (0-3) 6-4 but could not complete the day in a 10-1 loss as the hands of Simpson College, 10-1 at the Spring Games Mar. 14.  

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST CORTLAND:

• The Red Dragons got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning with a bases loaded walk in the back half of the inning that gave Cortland a run for the 1-0 lead.
• The Pioneers would answer back at the top of the fourth inning. Senior designated player Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) would lead off the inning with a single to right field and be replaced by freshman pinch runner Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield). Hutchison advanced to second on a ground out to third base and was driven home by freshman Lindsey Acker (Wenoah, N.J./Deptford) who came in to pinch hit and singled to right field for the 1-1 tie.
• Cortland would find two runs in the fifth inning on a sacrifice flies to right and left field to take the 3-1 advantage.
• William Paterson would cut the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth inning as sophomore first baseman Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) would open up the inning with a solo shot over the left field fence.
• WP would extend the game in seventh inning with four runs scored. A fielder's choice reach for Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) and walk for Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) would put two runners on base for graduate student right fielder Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton) who crush a three-run homer to left center, giving the Pioneers the lead. WP would find one more run with a Gaskill walk, a Kilee Oertel (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) single to center field and a single-RBI up the middle by senior Crystal Arendas (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional) who would bring home sophomore Michaela Raguseo (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic Valley) who came in to pinch run for Gaskill for the 6-3 advantage.
• The Red Dragons would try to rally back in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a single to left field which cut the lead to 6-4, but could not finish its comeback.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST SIMPSON:

• The Pioneers struck early in the contest in the first inning as Nunziato led off with a walk, would advance to third base on a passed ball and a sacrifice bunt by McDaniel and a ground out to first base would bring her home for the 1-0 lead.
• Simpson would take two runs in the top of the fourth inning for the 2-1 advantage.
• The Storm would explode for an eight run sixth inning that gave Simpson the 10-1 lead and held off the WP for the rest of the game.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore pitcher Lexi Corio (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) would earn her first win of the season against Cortland, pitching three innings and allowing one run on two hits while Acker started off the game against Simpson with zero runs on two hits.
• Monahan finished the day with a combined  four-for-seven and an RBI.
• McDaniel's three-run home run was her second of the season and her second in two days.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will continue at the Spring Games Wednesday, Mar. 16 with a twinbill against Mount St. Mary at 9:45 a.m. and Scranton at 2:00 p.m.

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