CLERMONT, FL. – The William Paterson softball team (0-8) was bested by Western New England (2-5), 11-7, and Middlebury (5-3), 6-1, at the Spring Games on March 20.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In the bottom of the first, with one out, graduate student Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) singled to left field and stole second to give WP the opportunity to get on the board first. Graduate student Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) capitalized with a single to third base, placing runners on the corners. Senior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) followed up, reaching first on a throwing error, and scoring Bigos (1-0). Monahan advanced to third on the throwing error.
- Mulato stole second and sophomore Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) reached on a fielder's choice that threw out Monahan at the plate. With two out and runners on the corners, senior Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) singled through the right side, plating Mulato for a 2-0 advantage.
- Western New England came back in the second, scoring three runs on a walk, single, triple, and double (3-2).
- The Golden Bears extended their lead to 8-2 with five runs off four hits in the sixth inning.
- Monahan helped the Pioneers cut the deficit, starting the bottom of the sixth with a double to left center. Junior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) pinch ran for Monahan and advanced to third on a single to right center by Bythrow. Gaskill collected an RBI with Schwark crossing the plate on a single through the right side (8-3).
- Two hits and an error in the seventh resulted in three more runs for Western New England for a 10-3 advantage.
- In a last chance effort, freshman Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) reached first on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second on a single up the middle by freshman Dylan DaCunha (Avenel, N.J./Colonia). Junior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) pinch ran for DaCunha.
- Bigos singled down the left-field line, scoring Campos and advancing to second on the throw home (10-4). Hutchison advanced to third on the throw.
- With runners on second and third, Monahan singled through the left side, plating Hutchison (10-5). An error by the left field would also score Bigos to cut the deficit to four (10-6) and push Monahan to third.
- Mulato followed up with a double to right center, collecting an RBI (10-7).
- Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) kept the momentum going with one out, reaching first on an error that also pushed Mulato to third. With runners on the corners, WP could not capitalize and fell short.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Gaskill finished 2-for-4 with two RBI.
- Monahan hit 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
- Bigos went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
- Mulato collected an RBI, a stolen base, and crossed home plate once.
- Sophomore Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) (0-4) pitched five innings with one strikeout.
- Sophomore Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) relived Guthy, pitching 0.2 inning. Mulato closed out the game, tossing 1.1 innings.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Bigos opened the game with a single to right field and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Schwark. With two outs, Gaskill singled to right field, plating Bigos for a 1-0 lead.
- Middlebury tied the score in the bottom half with a single, stolen base, passed ball followed by a throwing error.
- In the bottom of the fifth, with four hits and an error, the Panthers grabbed a 6-1 advantage.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Gaskill finished 2-for-3 with a triple and RBI.
- Bigos hit 1-for-3 with a run scored.
- Guthy and senior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) went 1-for-3.
- Mulato (0-4) pitched five innings with one strikeout.
- Guthy relieved Mulato, tossing one inning and allowing two hits.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson closes out the Spring Games tomorrow, March 21. The Pioneers' first game begins at 1:30 p.m. against Wisconsin-Stevens Point, followed by a 4:00 p.m. matchup versus Manchester.
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