PITMAN, N.J. -- The third-seeded William Paterson baseball team (26-13, 12-6 NJAC) will begin its quest for a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament title Tuesday, May 3, at home at 3:30 p.m. against fourth-seeded 23rd-ranked Kean (29-11, 12-6 NJAC).
Live statistics and
live video of the game will be available.
WHERE:
- Jeff Albies Field; Ticket prices are $5.00 for adults: $2.00 for children, students and senior citizens. WP students with ID will be admitted for free.
WHAT'S ON THE LINE:
- The six-team tournament uses a double-elimination format, with the opening round of competition being played on the home fields of the top three seeds on May 3.
- The remaining games of the tournament will be played Friday-Sunday, May 6-8, at Kean University.
- The NJAC champion garners an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
- The winner of the WP/Kean game will play Friday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Kean against the winner of Tuesday's game between second-seeded Montclair State (30-9, 15-3 NJAC) and fifth-seeded The College of New Jersey (19-16, 9-9 NJAC).
- The loser of the WP/Kean game will play Friday, May 6, at 3:30 p.m. at Kean against the winner of Tuesday's game between top-seeded and seventh-ranked Rowan (30-6, 16-2 NJAC) and sixth-seeded Ramapo (15-22-1, 6-12 NJAC).
WP IN THE NJAC TOURNAMENT:
- WP is making its 35th appearance in the NJAC Tournament (1959, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), and its 11th trip under the tutelage of 15th-year head coach Mike Lauterhahn.
- The Pioneers are looking for their 13th NJAC Tournament title (1959, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997). A year ago, second-seeded William Paterson fell in a best-of-three finals series against top-seeded Rowan.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS:
- William Paterson is coming off an 8-10, 15-12 split against New Jersey City (13-26, 4-14 NJAC) April 30.
- Senior outfielder Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) leads the Pioneers with a .442 average and 49 RBI, adding 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 29 runs. He also is 1-2 with a team-best five saves during 11 appearances on the mound.
- Senior infielder Colin Lombardo (Edison, N.J./Edison) is hitting .430 with 11 doubles, 38 RBI and team highs of six triples, eight homers, 59 RBI, .778 slugging percentage and .589 on-base percentage.
- Senior catcher Steve Yelin (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) is contributing a .396 average, three triples, six home runs, 42 RBI, 47 runs and a team-best 16 doubles.
- Senior Riley Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) sports a 3-1 record and 4.68 ERA in 11 appearances and 10 starts, striking out 42 in 50.0 innings pitched.
- Freshman Neel Telidevara (Dayton, N.J./South Brunswick) has compiled a 1-1 record, 4.24 ERA, three saves, 18 strikeouts and 23.1 innings, starting once in 15 appearances.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS:
- Kean is coming off a 4-3 and 8-7 doubleheader losses at No. 7 Rowan April 30.
- Senior infielder Michael Lapczynski is hitting .414 with 14 doubles, four home runs, 46 RBI and 34 runs scored.
- Senior outfielder Philip Mahlik owns a .388 average, nine doubles, five triples, 24 RBI and 37 runs.
- Freshman outfielder Kyle Adorno is contributing a .362 average, 15 RBI and 39 runs.
- Sophomore Nolan Rowan is 5-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 10 appearances and six starts, posting 43 strikeouts during 50.2 innings pitched.
- Freshman Daniel Keenan is 0-3 with a 2.86 ERA and four saves, striking out 20 over 22.0 innings and 12 appearances.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
- William Paterson split a doubleheader at No. 14 Kean April 9, dropping a 13-2 decision during the opener before bouncing back for a 4-3 victory.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
