WAYNE, N.J. – The sixth-seeded William Paterson baseball team (15-22, 7-11 NJAC) will head to Union, N.J., Tuesday, April 28, to square off against third-seeded and No. 11-ranked Kean (29-10-1, 12-6 NJAC) in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament at 3:30 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

• Tickets can be purchased HERE
• Ticket prices are $11.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (65+), children and William Paterson students with a valid WP ID
• All spectators must present a QR code on their phone or on a printed ticket by purchasing online in advance
• All ticket sales are electronic only. NO CASH SALES will be available at any venue throughout the tournament

HOW TO CATCH THE ACTION

• Live statistics, live video and live audio coverage will be available

 
WHERE

• Jim Hynes '63 Baseball Stadium; Union, N.J.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

• The winner of the matchup between William Paterson and No. 11 Kean will advance to the semifinals on Thursday, April 30, at second-seeded Montclair State in Montclair, N.J. Following the semifinals, the highest remaining seed will host a best-of-three championship series beginning Saturday, May 2, at a time to be determined. The NJAC Tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. 

 
WP IN THE NJAC TOURNAMENT

• WP is making its 37th appearance in the NJAC Tournament (1959, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), and its 13th trip under the tutelage of 19th-year head coach Mike Lauterhahn.
• The Pioneers are looking for their 14th NJAC Tournament title (1959, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2022)

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

• William Paterson played to a 15-22 overall record and 7-11 mark in conference play, earning the sixth seed in the NJAC Tournament.  
• Junior Devin Daproza (Englewood, N.J./Leonia) sets the tone from the leadoff spot, owning a .397 batting average and .541 on-base percentage with 54 hits, 47 runs scored and a league-best 43 walks.
• Junior Ty Kobylakiewicz (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) has supplied the power, compiling a .541 slugging percentage and .370 batting average with 54 hits, 22 runs scored and team-highs in doubles (13), home runs (4) and RBI (41).  
• Freshman Matt Caruso (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Technical) has put together a rookie campaign that features a .363 batting average, .446 on-base percentage and .484 slugging percentage with 45 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 31 RBI and 24 runs scored.  
• On the mound, junior Jose Marte (Bogota, N.J./Bogota) leads the pitching staff with a 4-1 record and 2.94 ERA while totaling 31 strikeouts across 52.0 innings of work.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS

• Kean went 29-10-1 overall and 12-6 in NJAC play during the 2026 campaign, entering the conference tournament as a third seed.
• The Cougars rank third in the NJAC in team batting average (.326) and second in team ERA (4.129).
• Senior Tyler Stone is one of the top run producers in the conference, totaling a team-best 51 RBI while holding a .381 batting average, .487 on-base percentage and .612 slugging percentage with 56 hits, nine doubles, five triples, five home runs and 41 runs scored.
• Sophomore Lucas White is 6-1 on the mound and leads the team with a 3.47 ERA and 41 punchouts across 57.0 innings of work.

 
EARLIER THIS SEASON

• The Pioneers and the Cougars, who at the time were ranked No. 7 nationally, split a doubleheader on April 11 in Union, N.J. The Pioneers won 8-3 in game one behind a dominant pitching performance by junior Rob Nathan (Lords Valley, Pa./Vernon Twp.) after he tossed 9.0 innings and struck out a season-high nine batters, allowing three unearned runs on five hits. The Cougars countered with a 3-1 victory in game two.
• Caruso went a combined 4-for-8 with a home run, five RBI and a run scored.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS

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