WAYNE, N.J. – The sixth-seeded William Paterson baseball team (16-22, 7-11 NJAC) will take on second-seeded No. 13/15 Montclair State (30-8, 14-4 NJAC) in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament Thursday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m. in Montclair, N.J.

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

• Yogi Berra Stadium; Montclair, N.J.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

• The winner of the matchup between William Paterson and No. 13/15 Montclair State will advance to a best-of-three championship series against the winner of No. 5/5 Rowan and Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, May 2, at the highest remaining seed with 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 before upsetting No. 12/12 Kean, 3-2, in 11 innings during the NJAC Tournament quarterfinals.
• Junior Devin Daproza (Englewood, N.J./Leonia) was named to the All-NJAC Second Team and sets the tone from the leadoff spot, owning a team-best .407 batting average, .551 on-base percentage, 57 hits, 48 runs scored and a conference-high 43 walks.
• Junior Ty Kobylakiewicz (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) was a first-team all-conference honoree, compiling a .527 slugging percentage and .360 batting average with 54 hits, 22 runs scored and team-highs in doubles (13), home runs (4) and RBI (42). 
• Freshman Matt Caruso (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Technical), who delivered the game-winning hit during the quarterfinal round win against the Cougars, has put together a rookie campaign that features a .364 batting average, .448 on-base percentage and .481 slugging percentage with 47 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 32 RBI and 24 runs scored. 
• On the mound, junior Rob Nathan (Lords Valley, Pa./Vernon Twp.) has struck out a team-high 45 batters across 56.1 innings of work while starting 10 of 11 appearances.  

SCOUTING THE RED HAWKS

• Montclair State finished the regular season 30-8 overall and 14-4 in NJAC action.
• The Red Hawks boast the best team batting average (.356) and the second-best team ERA (4.22) in the conference, while leading the NJAC in the majority of offensive categories.
• Senior Michael Wansaw Jr., an all-conference selection, leads the Red Hawks at the plate with a conference-best .416 batting average. He's compiled 57 hits, 10 doubles, 37 runs scored, 31 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
• Junior Jared Levis was named to the All-NJAC Second Team and is batting .388 with 54 hits, six doubles, 32 RBI and a team-best 59 runs scored and 34 stolen bases.

 
EARLIER THIS SEASON

• The Pioneers and Red Hawks split the regular season series, 1-1, with each team winning at their respective home field. Montclair State won the series opener, 8-0, April 2 before WP claimed a thrilling 16-14 comeback victory April 3.

 
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS

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