William Paterson University Athletics

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Behind a dominant pitching performance by senior Julian Salinas (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck), and a strong offensive showing by the Pioneers at the plate, the sixth-seeded William Paterson baseball team (17-22, 7-11 NJAC) earned its spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament championship series after securing a 9-2 upset win over second-seeded No. 13/15 Montclair State (30-9, 14-4 NJAC) in the semifinals April 30.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Red Hawks struck first with a run in the opening frame to grab an early 1-0 advantage.
• WP had a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs in the third inning when freshman Matt Caruso (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Technical) delivered a two-RBI single into center to put the Pioneers in front, 2-1.
• Senior Jordan Brown (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) and sophomore Alex Gomez (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) recorded back-to-back one-out base hits in the fourth. A flyout by senior Dylan Santos (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) advanced Brown to third before junior Devin Daproza (Englewood, N.J./Leonia) drove in two runs with a triple to center. Junior Avery Whitney (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) followed with an RBI single to right to make it a four-run game (5-1). 
• A solo home run by the Red Hawks in the bottom of the fifth trimmed the deficit to three (5-2).
• In the sixth, the Pioneers had the bases loaded with two outs when Caruso came through with a timely two-RBI single up the middle, extending the lead to five (7-2).
• WP loaded the bases in the eighth and a sacrifice bunt by Whitney allowed a run to cross. Caruso then drove in the Pioneers' second run of the frame on a single through the right side to make it 9-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Salinas pitched his second consecutive complete game, this time earning the win after allowing just two runs and striking out three batters.
• The two runs tied a season-low mark for Montclair State at home this season.
• Caruso finished 4-for-5 with a double and five RBI.
• Daproza batted 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and a career-best four runs scored.
• Gomez crossed home a season-high four times during his first career three-hit outing.
• Whitney tallied two hits and a pair of RBI.
• Senior Jordan Brown (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) recorded a two-hit performance and crossed home once.
• It was the Pioneers' first win against the Red Hawks at Yogi Berra Stadium since April 30, 2021.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will head to Glassboro, N.J., for a best-of-three NJAC Tournament championship series at No. 5/5 Rowan Saturday, May 2, with game one of the doubleheader slated for 11:30 a.m. 

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