CLERMONT, Fla. - The William Paterson softball team (5-6) wrapped up The Spring Games by splitting its final two match ups. The Pioneers were edged by SUNY Geneseo (6-3), 6–5, in extra innings before rebounding with a 7–3 win against New York University (6-12) on March 20. 
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Senior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) launched a homerun to lead off the second inning, giving the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead. 
• WP extended the advantage in the top of the third with a two-out rally. Senior Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) worked a walk before scoring on Ciravolo's RBI double to right-center (2-0). Sophomore Aubrey Miller (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County Institute of Technology) followed with an RBI single to right-center, scoring Ciravolo to put the Pioneers up 3-0.
• SUNY Geneseo scored three runs in the third to tie the game at 3-3.
• The Pioneers regained the lead in the fourth. Senior Gabriella Vazquez (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills) singled to right field and moved to second on a bunt single by junior Megan Tinger (Garwood, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson). Campos then came through with an RBI to shortstop, scoring Vazquez to give the Pioneers a 4-3 lead.
• The Knights plated one run in the sixth to even the score at 4-4.
• In the top of the seventh, sophomore Stephanie Ciravolo (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) drew a leadoff walk before pinch runner sophomore Rylie Nagle (Ridgefield Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) entered and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt laid down by sophomore Aubrey Miller (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County Institute of Technology). After moving to third on a groundout, Nagle crossed the plate on Guthy's RBI single to score the go-ahead run (5-4).
• SUNY Geneseo pushed across a run in the seventh inning to even the score at 5–5, sending the game into extra innings. 
• In the bottom half of the eighth, the Knights scored to secure a 6-5 walk-off win over the Pioneers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Campos went 3-for-4 with one RBI.
• Ciravolo finished 1-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored.
• Backo recorded a 1-4 performance with a home run, one RBI, and one run scored.

GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers broke the game open in the first inning, scoring four runs. Shortway led off with a triple down the right-field line. After Miller walked and Backo popped out, Miller and Shortway executed a double steal, with Miller taking second and Shortway crossing home to put WP on the board (1-0). Guthy followed with an RBI single to center to score Miller, and Inglis singled to move Guthy into scoring position (2-0). Later in the inning, junior Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) delivered an RBI single through the left side, scoring both Guthy and Inglis to give WP a 4-0 lead.
• In the third inning, Guthy doubled to left field and later advanced to third on a passed ball. Campos followed with a two-out double to left-center, scoring Guthy to extend the advantage to 5-0. Campos stole third before stealing home to push the lead to 6-0.
• New York University scored three runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to 6-3.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Shortway reached on a fielder's choice before advancing to second on Guthy's single up the middle. Miller followed with an RBI single, scoring Shortway to make the score 7-3.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Campos went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, a double, and three RBIs.
• Guthy finished 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and two runs scored.
• Miller batted 2-for-3 with a stolen base, one RBI,  and one run scored.
• Shortway went 1-for-3 with a triple, stolen base, and two runs scored.
• Nagle went 1-for-2 with one hit and two stolen bases.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson hosts John Jay College for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:

• http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia