UNION, N.J. – Third-seeded William Paterson (28-13, 12-6 NJAC) led wire-to-wire during a 20-9 victory against second-seeded and 24th-ranked Montclair State (31-10. 15-3 NJAC) May 8 during the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Tournament second round at Kean's Jim Hynes Baseball Stadium.
The Pioneers will next play Monday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. at Kean against the winner of Monday's 12:00 p.m. elimination game between MSU and sixth-seeded Ramapo (16-24-1, 6-13 NJAC). WP is 2-0 so far in the double-elimination tournament, and is the only remaining unbeaten team after the first two rounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- William Paterson struck immediately with six runs during the top of the first inning. Senior third baseman Colin Lombardo (Edison, N.J./Edison) led off with a ground-rule double, senior right fielder Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J./Bergen Catholic) had an infield single, and senior left fielder Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) hit a sacrifice fly to center. Senior designated hitter Dylan Habeeb (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) followed with a two-run homer to center for a 3-0 edge, and graduate student first baseman Carson Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) singled before a groundout for the second out of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Jake Lutz (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) was hit by a pitch and senior center fielder Justin Grippo (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah) walked to load the bags, and freshman shortstop Tom Radigan (Verona, N.J./Verona) drew a six-pitch walk to force across a run. Lombardo then plated two runs with his second double of the inning, making it a 6-0 lead.
- The Red Hawks cut the advantage to 6-4 with two singles, a two-run double and a two-run base hit during the home half of the second.
- The Pioneers answered immediately with a seven-run third. Senior catcher Steve Yelin (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) started the inning with a single, Lutz bunted for a base hit and Grippo sacrificed. Radigan's walk loaded the bases, a wild pitch scored one run, Lombardo walked, Martin sent a two-run single into right-center field and Carter's infield base hit scored another Pioneer. Habeeb's blast to left center was his second homer of the night, a three-run shot for a 13-4 margin.
- A hit by pitch and pair of base hits scored one MSU run in the third, and an error and two singles made it a 13-6 game after four innings.
- WP added three more in the sixth thanks to Yelin and Lutz base hits, Radigan sacrifice bunt, Lombardo intentional walk and Martin three-run double to right center.
- Montclair State's walk and pair of base hits left it a 16-7 score in the sixth.
- Habeeb was issued a free pass to start the seventh before Weis homered to left, Yelin and Lutz both contributed base hits and Radigan doubled down the left-field line for a 19-7 edge during the top of the seventh inning.
- A Grippo triple and Lombardo sac fly pushed the lead to 20-7 in the ninth.
- The Red Hawks added two final runs during the bottom of the ninth with two walks, a groundout, sac fly, error and RBI-single.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Habeeb went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and three runs. Martin was 4-for-6 with a double, five RBI and two runs.
- Yelin finished 4-for-6 while adding a double and two runs, and Lombardo went 3-for-4 with three doubles, three RBI and three runs scored.
- Carter recorded his 200th career hit.
- Lombardo took over sole possession of the WP career hit by pitches record (34). He already owned the WP single-season top mark (28).
- Junior Ian Metzger (Verona, N.J./Verona) improved to 9-3 with 6.0 innings of action, allowing seven runs (six earned), 10 hits and one walk while striking out five.
- Junior Dan Castaneda (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) provided 1.0 inning of middle relief, giving up two hits with one strikeout.
- Freshman Pat Pantoliano (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) pitched the final 2.0 innings and surrendered one hit, two runs (one earned) and three walks while registering one strikeout.
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