PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – The William Paterson baseball team (13-8) opened up an early lead at St. Joseph's-Long Island (9-5) April 5, cruising to an 11-4 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A walk and two singles handed the host Golden Eagles a 1-0 first-inning edge.
• The Pioneers responded with five two-out runs during the top of the second. Senior left fielder Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) singled and stole second before an error off the bat of senior right fielder Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J./Bergen Catholic) plated Carter. After a Jake Lutz (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) walk, senior shortstop Chris Liriano (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) hit an RBI-single to left center and senior second baseman Colin Lombardo (Edison, N.J./Edison) sent a two-run double to center field.  Junior center fielder Elliott Hayward (Marlton, N.J./Old Bridge) added a run-scoring base hit to left and WP owned a 5-1 lead.
• William Paterson added six more to its tally in the fourth. Lutz drew a leadoff walk and Liriano promptly homered to left field. Hayward and senior third baseman Steve Yelin (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) were issued free passes, leading to a Habeeb RBI-double. Graduate student first baseman Carson Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) was hit by a pitch to load the bags, Carter's sac fly and an error plated two runs, and Martin added a run-scoring double, making it an 11-1 margin.
• SJLI used a pair of base hits and a sacrifice fly for one single seventh-inning tally.
• The Golden Eagles finished the scoring with two more in the ninth, thanks to four consecutive singles.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Liriano went 3-for-4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.
• Carter finished 2-for-3 while adding a double, RBI and run, while Habeeb and Martin both posted 2-for-4 efforts and each had a double, RBI and run scored.
• Freshman Nick Durso (Morris Plains, N.J./Parsippany Hills) tossed 6.0 innings during his first collegiate start, scattering five hits, one run and four walks while striking out three (1-0).
• Sophomore Pat Warburton (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) gave up a run on two hits during 1.0 inning of relief, and senior Justin Grippo (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah) allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts during his 1.1 innings. Freshman Pat Pantoliano (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) recorded the final two outs, surrendering one hit.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson plays a single game at The College of New Jersey Thursday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m.

 
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