PURCHASE, N.Y. – Behind a season-high run total, the William Paterson baseball team (14-19, 6-8 NJAC) claimed a 24-11 non-conference victory at Manhattanville (24-9, 11-3 Skyline) April 21. The game was called after eight innings due to darkness.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Valiants struck first in the opening frame with four runs on three hits to take an early 4-0 lead.
• After a one-out single by junior Stephen Kubis (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) in the top of the second, senior Julian Pinto (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) belted a two-run homer to left, trimming the deficit to two (4-2). With two outs in the frame, the Pioneers plated a pair of runs on four consecutive singles to even the score at 4-4.
• Manhattanville responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead (7-4).
• WP opened the fourth by scoring four runs on five straight singles before the first out was recorded to put the Pioneers ahead, 8-7. After the first Pioneer was retired, Kubis recorded an RBI triple before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Pinto to make it 10-7. WP tacked on two additional runs in the inning off an RBI triple by freshman Christian Pelaez (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) and a costly error by the Manhattanville defense.
• The Valiants plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull within three (12-9).
• Junior Avery Whitney (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and freshman Matt Caruso (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Technical) led off the fifth with back-to-back singles before both coming around to score on a three-run home run by junior Ty Kobylakiewicz (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge). Kubis followed with a double to right and later scored on a wild pitch to make it a seven-run game (16-9).
• Manhattanville scored two runs on four hits in the sixth to pull within five (16-11).
• In the top of the seventh, the Pioneers loaded the bases with one out before back-to-back walks allowed a pair of runs to cross and push the advantage back to seven (18-11).
• WP loaded the bases again in the eighth to set up senior Christian Peluso (Bridgewater, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) for a two-RBI single to left. Back-to-back walks ensued and another WP run crossed to extend the lead to double figures (21-11). Freshman Sean Bauer (Butler, N.J./Butler) followed by ripping a pinch hit two-RBI single through the left side before an infield single by Kobylakiewicz drove in the sixth run of the inning.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Junior Devin Daproza (Englewood, N.J./Leonia) went 3-for-5 with a pair of walks, five RBI and two runs scored.
• Whitney batted 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored.
• Caruso logged a three-hit outing, adding two runs scored and an RBI.
• Kobylakiewicz finished 3-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.
• Kubis tallied two extra-base hits during a three-hit performance while scoring three runs and driving in one.
• Pelaez crossed home five times, adding three hits and an RBI.
• Pinto had two hits, including a home run, with three runs scored and three RBI.
• The 24 runs were the most in a game by the Pioneers since April 8, 2022, when WP earned a 28-7 home win against The College of New Jersey.
• It marked the second time this season that WP reached the 20-run threshold in a game.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson heads to Ewing, N.J., Thursday, April 23, for a pivotal conference game at TCNJ with first pitch slated for 3:30 p.m.   

 
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