HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The William Paterson softball team (17-18, 5-11 NJAC) won both games of a non-conference doubleheader against Centenary (9-29, 4-8 AEC) University, winning 6-3 in game one before cruising to a 10-0, six-inning victory in game two.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- WP scored six runs in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead. Sophomore Aubrey Miller (Sewell, N.J./Gloucester County Institute of Technology) walked before scoring on senior Lilah Guthy's (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) double for the first run of the game (1-0). Sophomore Stephanie Ciravolo (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) reached on a fielder's choice before sophomore Kelsey Geurts (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) walked to load the bases. Senior Brandi Shortway (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) then delivered a two-run single to bring home Ciravolo and Guthy (3-0). Senior Hailey Backo (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) followed with a single of her own to drive in Shortway and Geurts, extending the lead to 5-0. Freshman Gianna Capone (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) stole third before coming home on a catcher's error to cap the inning (6-0).
- Centenary scored three runs in the seventh to make the final score 6-3.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Backo went 1-for-2 with two walks, two stolen bases, two RBIs, and one run scored.
- Geurts finished 2-for-2, drawing one walk and scoring once.
- Shortway drove in two runs, drew two walks, and crossed the plate once.
- Guthy added an RBI double and scored a run.
- Miller pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out five.
- Senior Kylie Anthony (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) worked 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on one hit.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- WP quickly broke the game open with a five-run first inning. Backo drove in Capone for the first run of the game before scoring on Tinger's single to make it 2-0. With runners in scoring position, Geurts delivered a two-run triple to plate Guthy and junior Megan Tinger (Garwood, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson), extending the lead to 4-0. Junior Samantha Campos (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) followed with an RBI single to score Geurts and push the advantage to 5-0.
- The Pioneers added on another run in the fourth as Shortway tripled and later scored on an error to make the score 6-0.
- In the sixth inning, Campos led off with a single, advanced on a groundout and an error, and later stole home (7-0). Later in the inning, with runners in scoring position, Backo blasted a three-run home run to plate Shortway and junior Joy Shand (Canton, Conn./Canton) to cap the scoring at 10-0.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Backo led the offense with a double, homerun, four RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Shortway recorded a triple and crossed the plate twice.
- Geurts finished 1-for-3 with a triple, 2 RBIs, and one run scored.
- Tinger and Campos each went 2-for-3 with a stolen base, one RBI, and one run scored.
- Guthy pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five hits while striking out one.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson travels to NJCU to close out the 2026 campaign for a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m.
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