WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (5-23, 3-11 NJAC) split an NJAC twin bill with Rutgers-Camden (14-20, 5-9 NJAC), falling 6-2 in game one and triumphing in game two 6-4 on April 20.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Rutgers-Camden grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the third with two singles and a sacrifice bunt.
• In the bottom of the third, sophomore Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) was hit by a pitch. With one out, sophomore Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) singled to right field to place runners on first and second. A fielder's choice placed junior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) at first and Guthy on second. Graduate student Caitlin Monahan (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) singled to right field, plating Guthy and Schwark for a 2-1 lead.
• Five hits and two errors in the fourth grabbed the Raptors four runs, leading the Pioneers 5-2.
• In the seventh, a walk and two errors extended Rutgers-Camden's lead to 6-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Monahan went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
• Guthy secured a hit and crossed the plate.
• Schwark recorded a run.
• Guthy (2-11) pitched 3.0 innings with three hits allowed and two strikeouts.
• Senior Gianna Mulato (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) relieved, allowing two runs and four hits.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Raptors crossed home in the first for a 1-0 advantage.
• With two outs in the second, senior Grace Gaskill (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) singled to left field and advanced to second on a single by graduate student Jillian Bigos (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South). Junior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) followed up with a single to second, loading the bases. A wild pitch scored Gaskill and placed runners on second and third. Backo doubled to left field, giving WP a 3-1 lead.
• Senior Haley Weinberger (Williamstown, N.J./Hammonton) opened the bottom of the third with a single up the middle and stole second. Monahan singled to left field. With two outs, Weinberger stole third, placing runners on the corners. Gaskill singled to left, scoring Weinberger (4-1).
• Rutgers-Camden cut the deficit to 4-3 in the fourth.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Hutchison reached first with a bunt and pushed to third on two errors. A bunt by Backo scored Hutchison (5-3). Backo stole second and third. A single up the middle by Monahan plated Backo, extending WP's lead 6-3.
• Two hits in the sixth scored one for the Raptors (6-4).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Backo finished 1-for-2 with three RBI, a run scored, a double and two stolen bases.
• Hutchison hit 2-for-3, crossing home twice.
• Monahan went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
• Gaskill secured an RBI and crossed home, hitting 2-for-3.
• Weinberger and Bigos crossed home for the Pioneers. Weinberger added two stolen bases.
• Sophomore Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) (1-2) allowed six hits and four runs in her five innings pitched. She secured a career-best three strikeouts and her first collegiate win inside the circle.
• Guthy and Mulato split the last two innings in the circle.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson travels to Montclair, N.J. Tuesday, April 23, for an NJAC doubleheader against Montclair State at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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