CLERMONT, FLA. – The William Paterson softball team (5-4) earned two runs in the sixth inning off the bats of seniors
Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) and
Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) to take down Wisconsin-River Falls (11-5), 5-4 but fell in its final contest of the Spring Games to Wisconsin-Whitewater (2-2), 10-1, Mar. 19.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS:
- WP took the early advantage in the first inning Nunziato leading off with a walk that would put her on base for Monahan to record her eight-straight game with a hit and her first homerun of the season with a deep shot to left center to give the Pioneers the 2-0 lead
- William Paterson would extend its lead in the second inning. Senior center fielder Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) would get on base with a single up the middle. WP would then see Nunziato, Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton), and Monahan all get walked which brought Naveo home to make the score 3-0 Pioneers.
- The Falcons would compile four runs in the third inning on four hits to take control of the game 4-3.
- The Pioneers' rally would come in the sixth inning. Sophomore second baseman Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) would reach first on a bunt and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Naveo. A single through the left side by Nunziato brought in the tying run. McDaniel would single in the next at-bat and get the extra base on a throwing error which sent Nunziato to third. Monahan would bat in Nunziato for the game-winning run.
- The WP defense would hold strong in the top of the seventh inning to earn the hard-fought win.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER:
- The Warhawks started the game off the contest off with eight unanswered runs in the first two innings to take an 8-0 lead.
- The Pioneers' only run of the game came in the third inning. Naveo would earn a double on a hit to left center and would advance to third on a fielding error on the pitcher. Naveo brought in the WP run on a failed pick off attempt, cutting the Warhawks lead to 8-1.
- Wisconsin-Whitewater would close out the contest with two more runs in the fourth inning.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Sophomore pitcher Lexi Corio (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) entered the circle in relief against Wisconsin-River Falls, earning her third win of the season with four innings pitched and allowing only three hits.
- Monahan earned her first three-RBI performance of the season against Wisconsin-River Falls.
- Naveo finished the day two-for-four with two runs scored.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will have its home-opener Tuesday, Mar. 22 as the Pioneers host Hunter College for a double-header matchup starting at 3:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
