WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (16-16, 8-8 NJAC) split a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader against Montclair State (23-13, 9-7 NJAC) April 19 at the Pioneer Softball Field. The Pioneers won the first game, 4-3, before falling, 10-2, in game two after six innings.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Montclair scored one run in the first to take a 1-0 lead.
- WP answered in the second with the bases loaded and one out. Senior Courtney Schwark's (Port Ewen, N.Y./Kingston) grounded out but the tying run scored on the play. Senior Lauren Hutchison (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) then drove in a pair of runs on a single to give WP a 3-1 lead. Bathe Pioneers tacked on another run when junior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) recorded an RBI base hit.
- The Red Hawks scored one run in the third and another in the fifth, narrowing WP's lead to 4-3.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Hutchison recorded two hits in three at-bats, finishing with two RBI and a run scored.
- Schwark and Backo each drove in a run.
- Junior Taylor Palmieri (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) pitched seven innings with four strikeouts.
- Junior Lilah Guthy (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) and senior Kylie Bythrow (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) crossed those for WP.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Red Hawks took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.
- WP scored one run in the bottom half of the frame when Palmieri reached on a throwing error, allowing Schwark to score, making it 2-1.
- Montclair State added two runs in the third to extend its lead to three (4-1).
- In the bottom of the fourth, Backo walked and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Allison Stein (Hewitt, N.J./West Milford) then singled up the middle to cut the deficit to 6-2.
- The Red Hawks scored one run in the fifth and added three more in the sixth to defeat WP, 10-2, after six innings.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Schwark finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Stein recorded two hits in three at-bats with one RBI.
- Guthy went 1-for-2 with a double.
- Backo drew a walk and crossed home once for WP.
UP NEXT:
- WP will travel to The College of New Jersey for an NJAC doubleheader Saturday, April 26, at 1:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
