CLERMONT, FL. – The William Paterson softball team (0-4) dropped two games against Wisconsin-Whitewater (1-0) and Tufts (4-0) to open up the Spring Games on March 17. The Pioneers were edged by Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-2 and fell to Tuft 7-1.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a silent three innings, Wisconsin-Whitewater got on the board first with three singles and a throwing error (1-0).
• In the top of the fifth, sophomore Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) reached first on a throwing error and advanced to second on a single by junior Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford). Freshman Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) pushed both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
• Senior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) followed with a single through the right side to plate Backo and tie the score. Bythrow advanced home on a throwing error by the catcher to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead.
• The Warhawks tried to cut the deficit in the bottom of the fifth with one out and loaded bases. Senior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) relieved Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), recording a strikeout and fly out to get the Pioneers out the jam.
• Wisconsin-Whitewater took back the lead in the sixth with a walk and three single to secure game one.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Weinberger finished 1-for-2 with an RBI.
• Bythrow went 1-for-2 with one run scored.
• Backo secured a run and Guthy hit 1-for-3.
• Guthy (0-1) pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one run, no walks, and posting two strikeouts.
• Mulato (0-2) relieved Guthy, pitching 1.1 innings while allowing three hits, two runs and striking out two.
   

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Tufts grabbed a 3-0 advantage in the first, all unearned runs.
• In the second, senior Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) singled to first with one out. Backo placed Gaskill and herself into scoring position with a double to left center.
• A Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) single scored Gaskill to get the Pioneers on the board (3-1).
• The Jumbos extended their lead with a run in the third and three more in the fourth (7-1), holding the rest of the way.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Junior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) and Hutchison finished 2-for-3. Hutchison added an RBI.
• Gaskill went 1-for-2, crossing the plate once.
• Backo and Bigos both collected doubles.
• Mulato (0-3) pitched three innings with one strikeout and allowed for five hits and six runs.
• Sophomore Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) relived Mulato, pitching four innings while allowing three hits and one run.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns to action tomorrow March 18 for a 9:15 a.m. matchup against Wellesley and a 1:45 p.m. game versus Smith.

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