JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (12-11 NJAC 3-5) took both games on the road at New Jersey City (9-16, 1-7 NJAC) April 12, winning 3-2 in nine innings and 5-0.


GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• WP took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as senior shortstop Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) doubled to left field during the first Pioneer at-bat and reached home plate as graduate student left fielder Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton), senior designated player Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler), and freshman pitcher Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) all walked during their at-bats.
• The Gothic Knights tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with two errors leading to the tying run which forced the game into extra innings.
• Senior center fielder Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) started the top of the eighth inning as the runner on second and was plated by Monahan on an RBI-single to center field, making the score 2-1 William Paterson.
• New Jersey City evened the score in the bottom of the eighth with an error driving in a run.
• William Paterson retook the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Sophomore pinch runner Michela Raguseo started on second base. A pair of singles from Miller and junior catcher Lindsey Wall (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock) gave WP a bases-loaded situation. An error by the second baseman allowed Sophomore pinch hitter Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) to reach first and drive in Raguseo for a 3-2 edge.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore pitcher Lexi Corio (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) secured the win inside the circle, allowing two hits and two runs in 4.2 innings pitched
• Miller earned the save for WP, giving up only two hits and striking out six batters. She also contributed on offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI at the plate.
• Nunziato finished the day 3-for-5 with a run scored.

 
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• William Paterson took the early advantage in the top of the first inning. Nunziato led off with a single into left field and advanced to third on a double from Naveo in the same spot. Monahan grounded out to the shortstop but earned the RBI as Nunziato made it home for a 1-0 lead.
• The Pioneers put together a three-run top of the fourth inning for a 4-0 edge. Miller led of the frame reaching first on an error. Freshman catcher Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) singled down the third base line, advancing Miller to second. Both runners would advance an extra base on a sacrifice bunt by junior left fielder Gabriella Brancaccio (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick). Junor left fielder Shannon Wall (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock) fired a two-RBI double down the left field line, plating Miller and Bythrow. Sophomore second baseman Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) reached on an error during her at-bat which allowed Wall to bring in another run for WP.
• William Paterson found another run in the top of the fifth inning. McDaniel led off with a single to left field and stole second. McDaniel advanced to third on a Monahan ground out and scored during an RBI-double to right center from Bythrow.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Corio earned the win, tossing 6.0 shutout innings while allowing only three hits.
• Bythrow went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Naveo finished 3-for-4 with a double.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson honors its Seniors before a league doubleheader with the College of New Jersey Saturday, April 16, with first pitch at 1:00 p.m.

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