WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (4-22) earned two non-conference wins against Mount Saint Mary (5-15), defeating the Knights 7-3 in game and 7-6 in game two. The second game was called for darkness after the top of the sixth.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• An unearned run gave Mount Saint Mary a 1-0 advantage in the first.
• Senior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) opened the second inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Dylan DaCunha (Avenel, N.J./Colonia). Graduate student Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South) hit one off the center field fence for a double, plating Mulato. With two outs, sophomore Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) singled to center field to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead.
• In the third, sophomore Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) tripled to right field and scored on a single up the middle by graduate student Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) (3-1). Junior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) pinch ran for Monahan and advanced to second on a walk by Mulato. With runners on first and second, senior Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) singled through the right side to load the bases. Bigos secured two RBI with a double to left, putting WP up 5-1.
• In the sixth, senior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) reached on a fielding error and scored on a double to left by Monahan (6-1). Mulato walked to place runners on first and second. Schwark pinch ran for Monahan at second. A fielder's choice placed Schwark at third and Bythrow at first. Gaskill singled to center field, plating Schwark and grabbing a 7-1 advantage.
• The Knights cut the deficit in the seventh with three singles and two sacrifice flies (7-3).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Bigos led the Pioneers offensively with three RBI, one run scored, and two doubles, finishing 2-for-3.
• Monahan hit 2-for-3, posting two RBI and a double.
• Gaskill hit 3-for-4 with an RBI. Backo added an RBI.
• Mulato and Schwark crossed home twice.
• Guthy collected her second triple this season and one run.
• Weinberger secured a run and stolen base.
• Sophomore Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) started inside the circle, pitching 2.1 innings, and allowing three hits and one run.
• Guthy (2-10) relieved, allowing three hits and two runs.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A walk, single, and double gave the Mount Saint Mary a 1-0 advantage in the first.
• Guthy singled to open the bottom half of the first and advanced to second on a single through the left side by Weinberger. Both stole a base to place themselves in better scoring position. A sacrifice fly to left by Monahan tied the score (1-1). With one out, Mulato doubled to center field to plate Weinberger for a one-run advantage (2-1). Bythrow singled up the middle, placing runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly to center field by Gaskill scored Mulato for a 3-1 lead.
• The Knights opened the second with a home run over the left field fence to cut the deficit to one (3-2).
• In the second, Schwark singled to right center, advanced to second on a successful bunt by Guthy and grabbed third on a throwing error. Guthy stole second to place runners on second and third. Monahan recorded two RBI with a double to left field to give the Pioneers a 5-2 lead.
• Mount Saint Mary posted three runs in the third and one in the fourth for a 6-5 advantage.
• In the fourth, Guthy homered over the left field fence to tie the game 6-6. Monahan doubled to center field and Hutchison pinch ran for her. A single up the middle by Mulato plated Hutchison to give WP the lead (7-6).
• The game was called due to darkness after the top of the sixth.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Monahan posted three RBI, finishing 2-for-2 with two doubles.
• Mulato went 3-for-3 with two RBI, one run scored, and a double.
• Guthy hit 3-for-4, crossing home three times, and securing an RBI. She posted her second home run of the season and two stolen bases.
• Gaskill added an RBI.
• Weinberger and Schwark scored once each.
• Anthony pitched the first two innings, securing two strikeouts.
• Guthy tossed the next two frames, recording two striekouts and allowing one run.
• Mulato (2-9) was inside the circle for the last two innings, earning the win with one hit allowed.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns to action on Saturday, April 20 for an NJAC doubleheader against Rutgers-Camden at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

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