NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The William Paterson softball team (5-7) swept an away doubleheader at Mount Saint Mary College (0-10) March 25, earning a 5-2 win in game one and securing a 6-3 victory in game two.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the top of the first inning, WP had runners on first and second when junior Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) ripped an RBI single to center to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage. A costly fielding error by the Knights allowed another run to cross before junior Zoey Hagan (Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Henry Hudson) recorded an RBI single to make it a three-run game (3-0).
• With a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth, senior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) grounded out to first, but a run came in to score on the play. Senior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) then notched an RBI single to extend the Pioneers' lead to five (5-0).
• Mount Saint Mary scored a run in the fourth and sixth innings, but WP maintained its lead for the 5-2 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Senior Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) went 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base.
• Junior Haley Backo Backo finished 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored.
• Guthy recorded a run and an RBI.
• Junior Taylor Palmieri (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) batted 1-for-3 and crossed home once.
• Hutchison and Hagan each recorded a base hit and an RBI.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Schwark led off the bottom of the first with a single and stole second before scoring on an RBI base hit by junior Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) to put WP ahead, 1-0. 
• In the top of the fourth, the Pioneers tacked on a pair of runs once Shortway belted an RBI double before Hagan followed with an RBI single.
• Mount Saint Mary cut the deficit to one (3-2) in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run. 
• WP added a run in the top of the fifth when Shortway scored on a sacrifice fly from Hagan (4-2).
• The Pioneers further extended their lead (6-2) in the top of the seventh when Hagan hit a two-RBI double.
• The Knights responded with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but WP held on to claim the 6-2 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Shortway batted a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBI and three runs scored.
• Schwark finished 2-for-3, crossing home twice.
• Hagan went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI.
• Guthy pitched a complete game, striking out six batters across seven frames.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson hosts Mount Saint Vincent for a non-conference doubleheader Thursday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m.  

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