WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (13-16, 3-9 NJAC) earned a series split in dramatic fashion, walking off a 5-4 game-one victory before narrowly falling in the night cap, 4-3, to visiting Ramapo (25-8, 9-3 NJAC) April 14.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A single, fielder's choice, wild pitch and double handed the Roadrunners a 1-0 first-inning edge.
- The Pioneers took the lead during their first at-bat. Freshman second baseman Gianna Capone (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) sent a one-out base hit up the middle, senior shortstop Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) put down a sacrifice bunt, and junior catcher Megan Tinger (Garwood, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) reached on a two-out error that plated Capone. After a walk issued to senior left fielder Lilah Guthy (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), sophomore pitcher Aubrey Miller (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County Institute of Technology) singled in Tinger for a 2-1 edge.
- Ramapo used a three-run second to regain the lead, 4-2, thanks to a base hit, error, passed ball, walk, two-run single, fielder's choice, and run-scoring base hit.
- Senior center fielder Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) started the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield single and Capone worked a seven-pitch walk before Backo drilled a double to left, plating both runners and knotting the score at 4-4. Tinger's infield base hit advanced Backo to third, and junior Joy Shand (Canton, Conn./Canton) came in to run for Tinger at first base. She stole second, and Guthy's rocket off the third baseman's glove was enough to plate Backo with the game-winning run.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Backo finished 1-for-3 with a two-run double, scoring the game-winning run.
- Shortway went 2-for-4 and touched home once. Guthy and Miller each drove in a run.
- Miller earned the complete-game victory (6-7), scattering nine hits, four runs (two earned) and four walks over 7.0 innings, striking out four.
- Ramapo started the day in a four-way tie for first place in the conference standings.
- Both teams had opportunities to add to their run totals, as Ramapo stranded nine runners and WP left six on base.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers struck first, stringing together a Shortway leadoff walk, a Capone sacrifice, a Backo base hit and a Tinger double down the right-field line for a 1-0 first-inning advantage.
- Ramapo answered during the top half of the second inning with a base hit, single and error to knot the score at 1-1.
- The Roadrunners added three runs in the fourth thanks to two base hits, a sacrifice, a two-run single, an infield hit and a wild pitch.
- WP cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth. Junior left fielder Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) started the frame with a base hit up the middle, senior catcher Gabriella Vazquez's (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany Hills) bunt went for a single, and sophomore designated player Stephanie Ciravolo's (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) fielder's choice left runners on first and second. Shortway sent a fly ball to shallow center and the fielder made a diving attempt, but the ball got by her for a two-run double. The Pioneers later had the bases loaded with one out, but a foul out and groundout kept it a one-run game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Backo went 2-for-3 and scored a run, while Shortway was 1-for-3 and contributed a two-run double. Tinger added a double and an RBI.
- Guthy tossed 3.2 innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk, collecting one strikeout (3-7).
- Senior Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) worked the final 3.1 innings, allowing two walks and three hits while posting one strikeout.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will host Mount Saint Vincent Thursday, April 16, for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS:
