WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (7-4) opened its home schedule with a sweep of Hunter (1-6) March 22, winning 8-0 in five innings and 6-2 in seven innings.

GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Pioneers put the first run on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Junior right fielder Gabriella Brancaccio (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick) was put in scoring position with a reach on a throwing error which allowed her to advance to second. Senior center fielder Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) brought Brancaccio home on the next at-bat to give WP the 1-0 lead.
• William Paterson added to its lead with two runs scored in the bottom of the third. Senior Designated player Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) doubled on a deep shot to left field. Monahan was replaced by sophomore pinch runner Michaela Raguseo (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic Valley), reached third base during the next at-bat with a single through the left side by freshman catcher Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford). A wild pitch would advance Bythrow to second and set up sophomore first baseman Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) for a two-RBI single through the left side to give the Pioneers the 3-0 edge.
• WP found another pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend its lead to 5-0. Senior shortstop Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) doubled on a shot to center field and was plated by graduate student left fielder Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton) on an RBI-triple in the same location. Monahan stepped up next and sent McDaniel home on a sacrifice fly.
• The game was closed out by the Pioneers with a three-run fifth inning. Gaskill and junior third baseman Kilee Oertel (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) both hit singles. Sophomore second baseman Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) sent Gaskill home and Oertel to third with a single to right center. Junior Shannon Wall (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock) would enter the game as a pinch hitter and get the sacrifice bunt-RBI with Oertel scoring and advancing Weinberger to third. Naveo drove in the game-ending run in the next at bat, sending a ball up the middle for the final run.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Freshman Lindsey Acker (Wenoah, N.J./Deptford) pitched all 5.0 innings of the contest and allowing only one hit with one walk and three strikeouts (2-2).
• Naveo and Gaskill each collected a pair of RBI on 2-of-3 hitting.
• Oertel was a perfect 3-for-3, while Monahan doubled in both her at-bats.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless two innings, WP posted two runs scored in the bottom of the third. Naveo reached second base on a single and a throwing error from right field. McDaniel steppe up two batters later and launched a ball over the left center fence for her third home run of the season.
• William Paterson extended its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth on another pair of runs. Gaskill started the frame with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a double off the bat of sophomore second baseman Gianna Fresnedo (Edison, N.J./Edison). Acker subbed in to pinch hit and sent a ball to center field, plating sophomore pinch runner Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.), who subbed in for Gaskill, and Fresnedo.
• The Pioneers added another run to their total in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Monahan double to left center, bringing in McDaniel, who singled through the middle in the previous at-bat.
• Hunter cut the lead to 5-2 at the top of the sixth inning on an RBI-single to right center and an RBI-double I to left center.
• The Pioneers put the final run of the contest on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning as Hutchison reached first on a bunt and rounded the bases \on a left-field single by Naveo.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Freshman Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) earned her second win of the season inside the circle (2-0), pitching 5.0 innings and allowing only two hits with seven strikeouts.
• Monahan finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two doubles
• Naveo added another 2-for-3 showing with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson remains home as the Pioneers host a twinbill against Manhattanville Thursday, March 24, with game one starting at 3:00 p.m.

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