UNION, N.J. – New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Player of the Year
Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) launched three home runs to lead third-seeded William Paterson (29-13, 12-6 NJAC) to an 11-5 victory against sixth-seeded Ramapo (17-25-1, 6-12 NJAC) May 9 during the NJAC Baseball Tournament third round at Kean's Jim Hynes Baseball Stadium.
The Pioneers, who are 3-0 during the double-elimination tourney, will play for the NJAC Tournament title Tuesday, May 10, against fourth-seeded Kean (31-12, 12-6 NJAC) at 3:30 p.m. at Kean. If the Pioneers fall in that game, the two teams will meet again immediately afterwards to determine the conference champion and automatic qualifier for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers seized a 2-0 lead during the top of the first inning. Senior third baseman Colin Lombardo (Edison, N.J./Edison) and senior right fielder Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J./Bergen Catholic) were both hit by pitches, followed by RBI-singles up the middle from Carter and senior catcher Dylan Habeeb (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills).
- WP made it a 4-0 game in the third with a Martin base hit up the middle and a Carter homer to right center.
- A hit by pitch, groundout and single produced one Roadrunner score in the third.
- William Paterson added one to its tally during the top half of the fourth inning thanks to senior center fielder Justin Grippo (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah) drawing a walk, freshman shortstop Tom Radigan (Verona, N.J./Verona) sending a base hit down the left-field line and Lombardo's fielder's choice being thrown away at second base.
- Carter opened the fifth with a solo shot to left, making it a 6-1 lead.
- Ramapo strung together two walks, an RBI-double and a two-run single to make it a 6-4 game after five frames.
- The Pioneers opened it up with a five-run sixth. Grippo led off with a base on balls, Radigan reached first due an error on his sacrifice bunt, Martin singled through the right side to plate Grippo and Carter drilled a three-run home run to right. Habeeb followed with a base hit and touched home when senior designated hitter Steve Yelin's (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) fly ball was dropped in center, extending the lead to 11-4.
- A two-out walk and single scored one Roadrunner during the home half of the eighth.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Carter finished 4-for-5 with three homers, seven RBI and three runs scored.
- Martin was 2-for-4 while adding and RBI and three runs scored, and Habeeb went 2-for-5, drove in a run and scored a run.
- Senior Riley Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) worked 5.0 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits and three walks while collecting five strikeouts (4-1).
- Junior Dan Castaneda (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) earned the save with 3.0 innings of one-run relief, scattering two hits and three walks with one strikeout.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
