AUBURNDALE, FLA. – Sophomore third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, but the William Paterson baseball team (4-3) suffered a 6-1 loss to Western New England (4-4) March 19 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

The Golden Bears used three singles to push across a run during the top of the second inning, and doubled their lead with an RBI-groundout in the third. Western New England made it a 3-0 score in the fifth inning, then produced three more runs thanks to four hits during the top of the sixth.

The Pioneers got on the scoreboard during the home half of the seventh after Abel hit a two-out double to right-center field and scored via a Brady Pevny (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) base hit to right.

Freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Junior starter Kevin Cowan (Elizabeth, N.J./Roselle Catholic) took the loss (1-1), surrendering six runs and 11 hits in 5.2 innings while striking out five. Junior Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) and classmate Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Sophomore right fielder Scott Hubener was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored for WNEC. Senior Mike Lospinuso threw the complete game, striking out six and scattering seven hits (1-1).

William Paterson will face Springfield Thursday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m.

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