CAMDEN, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (15-15, 7-7 NJAC) swept Rutgers-Camden (4-27, 2-12 NJAC) in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) road doubleheader April 19. The Pioneers earned an 8-5 win in game one before defeating the Raptors, 6-4, in game two to complete the sweep.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Junior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) was hit by a pitch to lead off the second inning and came around to score on an RBI single to center by freshman Allison Stein (Hewitt, N.J./West Milford) to give WP the 1-0 lead.
- Rutgers-Camden took the lead in the third following a three-run frame.
- WP narrowed the gap in the fifth inning once junior Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) recorded an RBI single with a pair of Pioneers on the bases to make it a one-run game (3-2).
- The first two Pioneers reached safely in the sixth and sophomore Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) delivered an RBI single to even the score at 3-3. Two more runs came across for WP following a ground out and then an RBI base hit by senior Courtney Schwark (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston).
- In the bottom half of the sixth, the Raptors responded with two runs to tie the game at 5-5.
- A pair of walks to open the seventh for the Pioneers set up junior Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) for a two-RBI double to right center. WP pushed one final run across in the inning on an RBI base hit by Bythrow to make it a three-run game (8-5).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Guthy went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored.
- Bythrow finished 1-for-3, driving in two runs.
- Junior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) scored three runs and drew two walks.
- Campos batted 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Raptors took an early 1-0 lead, scoring one run in the first inning.
- In the top of the second, WP had two runners on with one out when Bythrow came up with a timely RBI single to center to even the score at 1-1. A bunt single by Campos, followed by a costly throwing error by the Raptors, allowed two runs to cross and give the Pioneers a 3-1 advantage.
- Rutgers-Camden answered with three runs in the bottom half of the second to grab a 4-3 lead.
- In the sixth, sophomore Joy Shand (Canton, Conn./Canton) came in to pinch run and was on second when Bythrow singled to center drive in the game-tying run. After the second out of the inning was recorded, a throwing error by Rutgers-Camden permitted a run to score and WP went ahead, 5-4
- With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, Bythrow hit a sacrifice fly to tack on an insurance run.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Bythrow finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored.
- Senior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) recorded two hits, including a double, and drew one walk.
- Stein batted 2-for-3 and scored a run.
- Shand, Backo, and junior Zoey Hagan (Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Henry Hudson) each crossed home for WP.
UP NEXT:
- WP will host Montclair State for a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader Tuesday, April 22, at 3:00 p.m.
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