WEEHAWKEN, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (1-1) opened its 2023 season with a dramatic 8-6, nine-inning victory at Stevens (3-3) March 4 before the Ducks earned a 5-3 win during the night cap.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless regulation, the Pioneers broke the deadlock in the top of the eighth inning when graduate student left fielder Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) homered to left center, plating sophomore runner Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield), for a 2-0 lead.
• The Ducks leveled the score during its next at-bat. With the runner on second to start the frame, a bunt single, double steal of home, flyout and run-scoring groundout made it a 2-2 game.
• William Paterson exploded for a six-run ninth. Graduate student center fielder Jasmine Vera (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) was placed on second, graduate student designated player Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) drew a walk and was lifted for senior pinch runner Gabriella Brancaccio (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick), and sophomore catcher Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) sacrificed the runners up a base. Sophomore pinch hitter Delaney Sullivan (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Twp.) was issued a base on balls, and was replaced by junior pinch runner Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton), followed by a bases-loaded hit by pitch for junior first baseman Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.). Sophomore pitcher Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J./Warren Hills) singled in a run, followed by a two-run base hit through the left side by Bigos and a two-run double by graduate student third baseman Carly McDaniel (Lincoln Park, N.J./Boonton), making it an 8-2 Pioneer advantage.
• Stevens crossed the plate four times during the home half of the ninth and had a runner on first with one out, but Miller got a foulout and strikeout looking to seal the win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Bigos finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, hitting her first career home run. McDaniel added a two-run double.
• Miller (1-0) pitched the complete game, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and five walks, striking out four.

 
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Stevens used two hits, a walk, fielder's choice and error to score twice during the bottom of the first inning.
• Monahan and Bythrow opened the top of the second with singles, advanced a base on a wild pitch and scored on a dropped fly ball, making it a 2-2 score.
• A double and three walks handed the Ducks a 3-2 second-inning edge.
• Graduate student shortstop Anna Nunziato (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo) started the third inning with a walk and McDaniel doubled before Vera's groundout knotted the score at 3-3.
• A solo homer pushed Stevens ahead by a 4-3 count after three innings, and a sixth-inning sacrifice fly plated the final Duck run.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• McDaniel was 3-for-3 with a double and triple.
• Sophomore Lindsey Acker (Wenonah, N.J./Deptford) tossed the first 1.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four walks.
• Brancaccio suffered the loss (0-1), giving up three hits, two runs and a pair of walks during 4.1 innings of relief.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson will begin play at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic Sunday, March 12, against John Jay at 9:00 a.m. and Nazareth at 11:00 a.m. in Naples, Fla.

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