WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (12-13 NJAC 3-7) honored its seniors
Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South),
Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton),
Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler),
Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont), and
Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) before dropping two games to the College of New Jersey (20-5, 8-2 NJAC), 3-1 and 5-3, April 16.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Lions drove in the first run of the contest during the top of the fourth inning with a double to left center, bringing in the runner on second for a 1-0 edge.
- TCNJ extended its lead to 2-0 during the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly to center field plating the runner on third.
- WP scored its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning as McDaniel fired a solo homer over the left field fence to cut the lead to 2-1.
- The Lions brought in the final run of the contest on a bunt that allowed the runner at third to make it home for the 3-1 final score.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Freshman pitcher Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) suffered the loss (4-4), pitching all seven innings while allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out five batters.
- McDaniel's home run was her fourth of the season.
- Monahan and sophomore second baseman Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) each collected a hit.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers took a 1-0 advantage during the bottom of the second inning. Miller, freshman catcher Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) and junior right fielder Shannon Wall (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock) all generated singles during their at-bats. Weinberger advanced on a hit by pitch that brought Miller home for the first run of the contest.
- TCNJ took the lead in the top of the third inning with a single to center field and wild pitch each driving in two runs for a 2-1 edge.
- The Lions found another run in the top of the fourth inning as a bases-loaded single to second base brought in a run for a 3-1 advantage.
- TCNJ extended its lead to 5-1 in the top of seventh inning on a two-RBI double to center field.
- The Pioneers rally fell short, mustering a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final score, 5-3. Sophomore pinch hitter Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) walked during her at-bat, followed by sophomore pinch hitter Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) singling up the middle to send Gaskill to second. Nunziato also found a single up the middle which plated Gaskill and advanced Weinberger to second, who re-entered for Mulato. Naveo walked for a bases-loaded situation where Weinberger was brought home by McDaniel, who earned a sacrifice fly to center field.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Corio was credited with the loss (6-2), pitching 3.2 innings while allowing seven hits and three runs.
- Miller sputtered 3.1 relief innings pitched, allowing one earned run and three hits.
- Weinberger tallied an RBI and run scored.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson hits the road Tuesday, April 19, for a conference twinbill against Montclair State with first pitch at 3:00 p.m.
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