WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (6-7) split a home doubleheader against John Jay on March 24. The Pioneers won the first game 10-5, before dropping game two, 9-7.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• John Jay opened the scoring with a first-inning run (1-0) and added four more in the second to build a 5–0 lead.
• WP erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the second to take a 7-5 lead. After sophomore Aubrey Miller (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County Institute of Technology) and senior Lilah Guthy (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) drew walks, junior Megan Tinger (Garwood, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) reached on an error to load the bases. Consecutive RBI walks by junior Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell), senior Gabriella Vazquez (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills), and sophomore Stephanie Ciravolo (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) forced in three runs (5-3). Senior Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) later reached on an error that brought home a run (5-4), and an RBI walk by senior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) evened the score at 5-5. Miller then delivered a two-run single down the left-field line to put the Pioneers up 7-5.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Campos drew a walk before advancing to second on a groundout. Ciravolo followed with a single up the middle to score Campos (8-5).
• WP scored two runs in the sixth to build a 10-5 advantage. After singles by Miller and senior Lilah Guthy (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Megan Tinger (Garwood, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) doubled to right field to drive in a run. Campos then reached on a fielding error that allowed another run to score.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Miller finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and one run scored. She pitched 7 innings, striking out five.
• Ciravolo went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, a walk, and one run scored.
• Campos drew two walks, recorded one RBI, and scored two runs.
• Tinger had a 2-for-3 performance with one RBI and one run scored.
• Guthy batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

 
GAME TWO

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Bloodhounds scored four runs in the first inning to go up 4-0.
• The Pioneers answered with three runs to cut the deficit to 4-3. Shortway singled to start the rally and later scored on Tinger's RBI single (4-1). Guthy followed with an RBI single (4-2) and then Inglis drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run (4-3).
• WP pulled ahead in the bottom of the fourth when Backo launched a three-run home run to make the score 6-4.
• John Jay scored 5 runs in the fifth to regain the lead, going up 9-6.
• The Pioneers scratched across a run in the seventh when Guerts walked and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a fielder's choice by Backo (9-7).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Backo went 1-for-5 with a homerun, four RBIs and two runs scored.
• Tinger posted a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI and walk.
• Junior Molly Cocco (Florham Park, N.J./Hanover Park) finished 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson travels to Stockton University for a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) doubleheader on Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m.

 
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