EWING, N.J. – A two-run seventh inning rally wasn't enough for the William Paterson baseball team (9-12-1, 3-4-1 NJAC), dropping a 5-4 decision at The College of New Jersey (16-7, 5-3 NJAC) April 11.
The Pioneers took an early lead, pushing across a pair of first-inning runs. Walks issued to senior third baseman Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield), senior first baseman Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), sophomore designated hitter Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) and freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) forced across the first score, and a failed pickoff attempt resulted in an error that allowed Haughney to make it 2-0.
The Lions jumped ahead with three runs during the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a two-run Ben Varone double and a wild pitch.
Three hits, included a two-run single, made it a 5-2 TCNJ advantage after four innings.
William Paterson fought back, crossing the plate twice during the top of the seventh. Freshman catcher Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) started the frame with a base on balls, freshman right fielder Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) singled down the left-field line and Pasternak drove in Knauf with a base hit to right center. Sophomore shortstop K.C. Abel's (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) sacrifice fly plated Rowe and was the first out of the inning, but WP could not advance either of the remaining base runners due to a popup and strikeout.
The Pioneers had their chances to secure the tying run, loading the bases with two outs in the eighth and putting runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, but could not convert either opportunity.
Haughney was 2-for-3 and scored a run, and Rowe went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Junior Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) took the loss (0-1), allowing five runs on nine hits over 4.0 innings while striking out one and walking one. Junior Kevin Cowan (Elizabeth, N.J./Roselle Catholic) threw the final 4.0 innings with one strikeout and one hit allowed.
Sophomore Garen Turner was 2-for-4 with two RBI for TCNJ. Sophomore starter Steven Volpe was the winner (4-0), giving up three hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out one and walking seven.
William Paterson will host Rutgers-Camden for a doubleheader Saturday, April 12, at 11:30 a.m.
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