PITMAN, N.J. – Looking for its 13th New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament title and its first NCAA Tournament bid since 1999, third-seeded William Paterson (29-13, 12-6 NJAC) will square off against fourth-seeded Kean (32-12, 12-6 NJAC) in the final Tuesday, May 10, at 3:30 p.m. at Kean. Live statistics and live video of the game will be available.
The Pioneers, who are 3-0 during the double-elimination tourney, can win the league title with a victory against the Cougars (2-1) at 3:30 p.m. 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.
WHERE:
- Jim Hynes Baseball Stadium; 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, and the opening round of competition was played on the home fields of the top three seeds on May 3.
- The remaining games of the tournament were contested Sunday-Tuesday, May 8-10, at Kean University.
- The NJAC champion garners an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
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 and 2022 NJAC Coach of the Year 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 posted a 5-4 walk-off first-round victory against fourth-seeded and 23rd-ranked Kean (29-12, 12-6 NJAC) May 3. The Pioneers then defeated second-seeded and 25th-ranked Montclair State (31-10, 15-3 NJAC) in the second round May 8, 20-9, and posted an 11-6 third-round win May 10 against sixth-seeded Ramapo (17-25-1, 6-12 NJAC).
- The NJAC Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, senior outfielder Dan Carter (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) has a .448 average and 59 RBI, adding 13 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 33 runs scored. 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), a member of the All-NJAC First Team, owns a .426 average, 14 doubles, eight homers. 41 RBI and team highs of six triples, 65 runs, .764 slugging percentage and .579 on-base percentage.
- Second-team all-league senior catcher Steve Yelin (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) is contributing a .396 average, three triples, six home runs, 42 RBI, 49 runs and a team-best 17 doubles.
- Graduate student first baseman Carson Weis (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) owns a .321 average, 13 doubles, two triples, five homers, 43 RBI and 43 runs scored. He was joined on the All-NJAC Second Team by sophomore second baseman Jake Lutz (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional), who is hitting .347 while adding 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 35 RBI and 41 runs scored.
- Senior outfielder Vinnie Martin (Lodi, N.J./Bergen Catholic) was an honorable-mention all-league pick with a .351 batting average, 14 doubles, 38 RBI and 38 runs scored.
- Senior Matt Lwaler sports a 4-2 record and 5.22 ERA in 13 appearances and five starts, striking out 30 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 fell at William Paterson on a walk-off single, 5-4, during the first round May 3, and defeated sixth-seeded Ramapo (16-24-1, 6-12 NJAC) with a 5-4 walk-off win May 8. The Cougars eliminated fifth-seeded The College of New Jersey (20-18, 9-9 NJAC), 10-7, May 9.
- Senior infielder Michael Lapczynski is hitting .405 with 14 doubles, four home runs, 50 RBI and 36 runs scored.
- Senior outfielder Philip Mahlik owns a .389 average, nine doubles, five triples, 25 RBI and 41 runs.
- Freshman outfielder Kyle Adorno is contributing a .360 average, 15 RBI and 42 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.
DURING THE REGULAR SEASON:
- WP and No. 14 Kean split a doubleheader April 9 in Union. The Cougars took the opener, 13-2, and the Pioneers won the night cap, 4-3.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
