WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (2-21, 2-9 NJAC) dropped a twin bill at home against Kean (19-11, 7-4 NJAC) on April 16. The Cougars grabbed game one 14-2 in five innings, and bested the Pioneers in game two, 6-2.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Kean grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the second with two singles and two bunts.
• The Cougars added an insurance run in the third and four more in the fourth (6-0).
• In the fourth, senior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) singled to right center and advanced to third on a single to right field by senior Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert). Senior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) singled to center field, plating Weinberger. Graduate student Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) followed with a double to right field, scoring Gaskill to cut the deficit 6-2.
• Five hits in the fifth extended Kean's advantage to 14-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Mulato and Bigos hit 1-for-2 with RBIs.
• Weinberger finished 1-for-3, crossing the plate for the Pioneers.
• Gaskill scored a run, going 1-for-2.
• Sophomore Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) secured her first collegiate triple.
• Mulato (1-8) pitched 3.1 innings while allowing six hits and five runs.
• Sophomore Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) relieved, tossing 1.1 innings with two strikeouts.
• Sophomore Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) faced the last two batters, striking one out.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A single, stolen base, and a single through the left side gave Kean a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
• Mulato walked the open the bottom of the fourth and scored on a double by junior Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) to tie the game 1-1. Senior Michaela Raguseo (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic Valley) pinch ran for Bythrow, advanced to second on a walk by junior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield), and scored on a single to left center by Backo (2-1).
• In the fifth, a single, triple, and wild pitch scored the Cougars two runs for a 3-2 lead.
• Two walks and a home run extended Kean's lead to 6-2 in the sixth.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Backo and Bythrow finished 1-for-3 with RBIs.
• Mulato and Raguseo crossed home for the Pioneers.
• Mulato (1-9) pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and six runs with one strikeout.
• Anthony tossed the last two innings, securing two strikeouts.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson hosts Mount Saint Mary tomorrow Wednesday, April 17 for a 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.

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