WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (10-11 NJAC 1-5) saw a split on the day with a 9-4 win in game one, but was downed in game two, 11-1 against Rutgers-Camden (4-11, 2-4 NJAC) April 9.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Scarlet Raptors started the contest in the top of the first inning with three runs scored on two hits for a 3-0 lead.
- Senior shortstop Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) led off with a solo homerun to left center to cut the lead to 3-1.
- The Pioneers narrowed the game to 3-2 in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman pitcher Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) led off the frame with a double to left center and advanced to third on a fly out by sophomore first basemen Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.). A sacrifice fly during the next at-bat by sophomore second baseman Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) plated Miller for the WP run.
- William Paterson took advantage of the game with a four-run bottom of the third to take a 6-3 advantage. Senior designated player Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) reached on a fielder's choice and was replaced by junior right fielder Gabriella Brancaccio (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick), who came in to pinch run. Freshman catcher Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) singled to left center, advancing Brancaccio to second. Junior third baseman Kilee Oertel (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) singled to right field during the next at-bat and a fielding error by the right fielder allowed Brancaccio to bring in a run and advanced Oertel to second and Bythrow to third. Miller drilled a shot up the middle during the next at-bat, plating both Bythrow and Oertel for a two-RBI single. Mulato reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by the third baseman allowed Miller to advance to second. Both Miller and Mulato stole bases which allowed her to be in position for senior center fielder Lauren Naveo (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) for a single to second base which brought Miller home.
- WP extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, bringing in three more runs for a 9-3 edge. Monahan led off with a single down the right field line. Oertel singled to right center on her at-bat, advancing Monahan to second. Miller put a single ball into left field where fielding and throwing errors by the left fielder allowed her to reach third base and drove home both Monahan and Oertel. Mulato grounded out to second base but earned the RBI as Miller plated another run.
- Rutgers-Camden earned a run in the top of the seventh inning on a single bunt, but the Pioneer defense held strong the rest of the inning for the 9-4 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Miller earned the win inside the circle (4-3), while also hitting 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored.
- Oertel finished 2-for-4 and brought in two runs.
- Nunziato's solo home run was her second of the season.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Scarlet Raptors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a single to center field.
- Rutgers-Camden extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning, collecting a pair of runs for a 3-0 advantage.
- WP found a run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Naveo single up the middle which brought home Miller from second base to cut the deficit to 3-1.
- The Scarlet Raptors found one run in the fifth inning on a throwing error for a 4-1 lead.
- Rutgers-Camden closed out the game with a seven-run top of the sixth inning which secured them the 11-1 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Sophomore pitcher Lexi Corio (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) (4-1) pitched 3.2 innings allowing three runs and striking out two batters
- Nunziato earned her second triple of the year during her lead-off at-bat.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson hits the road for a league doubleheader against New Jersey City Tuesday, April 12, starting at 3:00 p.m.
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