BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Six of the Pioneers' 11 hits were for extra bases as the William Paterson baseball team (2-0) earned a 10-6 victory at Baruch (3-7) March 12 at MCU Park.
WP wasted no time, hanging four runs on the scoreboard during the top of the first inning. Sophomore center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) started the game with a hit by pitch and stole second before junior third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) was credited with a one-out inside-the-park home run. Junior right fielder Jimmy Kenny's (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) double was followed by an RBI-single from graduate student designated hitter AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange). Flores later crossed the plate thanks to a throwing error.
Abate led off the second frame with a triple to left and Abel plated him with a sacrifice fly to center, making it a 5-0 score.
Two singles and an Eric Ulino home run pulled the Bearcats to within two at 5-3 after two innings. Baruch tacked on another run in the fourth when junior right fielder Angel Tejada hit a leadoff double down the left-field line and Ulino drove him in with a base hit.
The Pioneers answered with a pair of fifth-inning scores. Abel started the frame with a two-bagger to right center and moved up to third via a groundout. He scored on a throwing error, followed by a walk issued to freshman first baseman Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont). Junior shortstop Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) had a base hit and sophomore catcher Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) came up with an RBI-single to the pitcher, extending WP's lead to 7-4.
Hoagland reached base on an error to start the seventh, stole second and touched home after a one-out double from Knauf. Junior second baseman Justin Ferreira (Elmwood Park, N.J./Elmwood Park Memorial) singled through the left side, and two batters later junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) knocked in both runners with a base hit into right field for a 10-4 margin.
The Bearcats tacked on two ninth-inning runs with a walk and a Zachary Uher homer.
Abel finished 2-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBI and two runs scored, while Knauf went 2-for-5, adding a double, two RBI and a run. Kenny also was 2-for-5, hitting a double and scoring once.
Senior Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) picked up the win as the starter (1-0), allowing four runs on five hits over 4.0 innings. Senior Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) struck out three during 2.0 scoreless innings, and junior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) had two punchouts in 2.0 shutout innings. Junior Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) gave up two hits and a pair of runs during the ninth inning.
Ulino was 2-for-3 for Baruch, posting a home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Matthew Fazio took the loss (1-1), surrendering nine runs (six earned) and nine hits in 6.1 innings.
William Paterson will face Keene State in the Central Florida Invitational Saturday, March 14, at 3:30 p.m.
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