March 16, 2014

William Paterson Baseball Sweeps Worcester State, 5-3 and 9-3

Batting

William Paterson
2B: none
3B: none
HR: none
Worcester State
2B: none
3B: Zach George; Dave Ruggiero
HR: none
full stats

AUBURNDALE, FLA. – William Paterson (3-1) earned a 5-3, 9-3 seven-inning baseball doubleheader sweep against Worcester State (3-3) March 16 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. Senior first baseman Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) went a combined 5-for-6 with four RBI to pace the Pioneers.

 

Game One

Senior left-hander Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) threw a complete-game victory as WP started the day with a 5-3 win.

 

The Pioneers struck first when senior shortstop Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) led off the contest with a single, was sacrificed to second by sophomore right fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) and was driven in by Haughney with an RBI-single up the middle.

 

William Paterson added three more to its lead during the third inning. Pasternak delivered a one-out single and Garguilo was hit by a pitch before senior designated hitter AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) sent a base hit through the right side, plating Pasternak. A wild pitch moved the runners up a base, and Haughney drove in a run with an RBI-groundout. Sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) knocked in Flores with his base hit to right field, making it a 4-0 score.

 

The Lancers took advantage of two walks, a bunt single, RBI-groundout and two-run triple to pull within one run during the home half of the frame, but the Pioneers tacked on an insurance run in the fifth. Flores walked and Haughney and Kenny singled to load the bases for sophomore third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley), whose groundout double play was enough to allow Flores to scamper home.

 

Jensen (1-0) allowed three runs and six hits in 7.0 innings on the mound, striking out six and walking three. Haughney finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Pasternak was 2-for-4 and scored twice. Kenny and freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) each provided a pair of hits.

 

Junior second baseman David Ruggiero led Worcester State at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Junior Jared Kuzio (0-1) took the loss, giving up five runs and 11 hits in 6.1 innings.

  

Game Two

WP jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back, finishing the day with a 9-3 victory.

 

Abel's bases-loaded single scored Pasternak to hand the Pioneers a 1-0 first-inning advantage. Haughney hit a one-out double to left-center field, driving in Abate and Pasternak, and Abel doubled in Haughney for a 4-0 score after three.

 

Freshman second baseman Alex Bogart (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) started the home half of the fourth with a walk and later crossed the plate when Abate tripled. Abate eventually touched home thanks to a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 6-0.

 

Worcester State put together three hits and a hit by pitch to produce two runs during the top of the sixth inning, but the Pioneers answered immediately with three runs of their own. Pasternak drilled a one-out triple and Abate walked before an Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) single and error pushed across Pasternak. Kenny plated two more runs with his one-out base hit, making it a 9-2 margin.

 

A walk and two singles allowed the Lancers to add one run in the seventh.

 

Haughney was 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, while Abate was 2-for-2, hit an RBI-triple and scored three times. Pasternak and Abel each added a pair of hits.

 

Senior Jake Menzo (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) tossed 6.0 innings of two-run ball, scattering six hits and registering a strikeout (1-0). Sophomore Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) gave up a run, struck out two Lancers and walked one during the seventh inning.

 

Freshman outfielder Jake Ryan was 2-for-3 and scored a run for Worcester State. Classmate Andrew Wells took the loss (1-1), allowing nine hits and six runs (four earned) in 4.0 innings of work.

 

William Paterson will play No. 5 Wisconsin-Stevens Point Monday, March 17, at 9:15 a.m.

 

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