NAPLES, FLA. – The William Paterson softball team (9-1) closed out the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic undefeated with a pair of wins over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (2-8) and Western Connecticut State (9-5). The Pioneers extended its win streak to eight, defeating the Trailblazers, 6-2, and the Wolves, 5-1.


GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Graduate student Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) started the Pioneers off with double down the right field line. Bigos crossed home plate on a hit to third by graduate student Jasmine Vera (Dumont, N.J./Dumont). The Trailblazers tied the score 1-1, scoring on a throwing error.
• In the top half of the second, Nunziato walked and advanced to third on a single by junior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.). Nunziato put the Pioneers up 2-1, scoring on a throwing error. Sophomore Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) reached first on a fielder's choice and recorded a RBI, sending Mulato home. Hutchison stole second and advanced to third on a double to left center by junior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton). Bigos hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, scoring Hutchison to extend the lead to 4-1.
• The Pioneers stayed consistent scoring two more runs in the top of the third inning. Sophomore Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) placed herself in scoring position with a double to right center. Junior Michaela Raguseo (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic Valley) pinch ran for Bythrow, advancing to third on a single to left field by Nunziato. Raguseo and Nunziato scored on back-to-back passed balls, seizing a 6-1 advantage.
• A pair of singles and a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the fourth sent MCLA another run to decrease the margin to 6-2.
• The Pioneers held on to the lead, allowing only two hits the rest of the way.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Freshman Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) (3-0) earned the win, pitching four innings with three strikeouts. Senior Gabriella Bracaccio relieved, pitching the final three innings, allowing two hits.
• Nunziato posted two runs scored.
• Weinberger went 2-3, recording a double.
• Bigos earned one RBI, one run and a double.

 
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• WP took a first-inning 1-0 edge when McDaniel was hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a fielding error. Vera followed up with a walk and stole second. A fielding error by the Wolves would advance Vera to third and McDaniel stole home.
• Western Connecticut State tied the score, 1-1, in the top of the third on a walk, and throwing error. The Pioneers answered back in the bottom half with two runs. Weinberger singled up the middle and was pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nunziato. McDaniel and Bigos followed up with walks and everyone would advance a base on a wild pitch, making it a 2-1 lead. McDaniel took advantage on a passed ball, extending the lead to 3-1.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Weinberger singled to right center, stole second and scored on a single to left by Nunziato to increase the score to 4-1.
• Vera scored the last run of the game with a homerun down the right field line, topping Western Connecticut State 5-1.

  
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) (4-0) earned the win, pitching seven innings with three strikeouts.
• Weinberger went 2-2 with two runs scored.
• Vera collected her first homerun as a Pioneer.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson continues play at Scranton, Tuesday, March 21, for a double header at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

 
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• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia