WINTER HAVEN, FLA. – The William Paterson (3-1) baseball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling 9-3 to Framingham State (2-2) March 15 at the Central Florida Invitational.
A two-run home run helped the Rams take a 3-0 lead during the top half of the first inning, but the Pioneers were able to get one run back during their first at-bat. Sophomore center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) had a leadoff single, stole second and later scored via a base hit to center by junior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional).
A two-out solo homer created a 4-1 Framingham lead in the second, but Abate hit a solo shot of his own to start the home half of the third.
The Rams took advantage of two errors, a pair of hit by pitches and a sacrifice fly to add two more runs during the top of the fifth inning, and their third home run of the day made it a 7-2 contest in the seventh.
A pair of hits and a sac fly allowed Framingham State to plate two more runs in the eighth. WP scored once during the bottom half of the same frame, as junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) singled, advanced to second via a Kenny walk and later sprinted home on an error.
Garguilo was 2-for-4 and scored a run, and Abate finished 2-for-5 with a home run and a pair of runs scored.
Junior starter Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) allowed five hits and seven runs (five earned) over 7.0 innings, striking out five (0-1). Senior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) gave up a pair of hits and two runs in 1.0 inning of relief, striking out one, and junior Jon Bujtas (Boonton, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
Senior third baseman Billy Derosier led the Ram offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Freshman starter Kevin Connelly (1-0) surrendered eight hits and three runs (two earned) in 7.2 innings, striking out four and walking three.
William Paterson will face No. 7 Birmingham Southern Monday, March 16, at 5:00 p.m.
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