MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Sophomore catcher Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) went 3-for-4 with two RBI and senior Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) tossed 6.0 solid innings as the No. 30 William Paterson baseball team (14-5, 2-3 NJAC) posted a 6-2 victory at Montclair State (9-11, 3-4 NJAC) April 9.
The Pioneers built a 3-0 lead with single runs during the third, fourth and fifth innings. Freshman designated hitter Jordan Aughey (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) started the third with a double to left and Knauf singled him in to open the scoring, and junior third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) began the fourth with a base hit to center field, stole second and touched home when freshman second baseman Jacob Bailey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) sent a base hit into center. Knauf hit a leadoff single to right field to start the fifth inning, was sacrificed to second by junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) and trotted home when Abel tripled.
The Red Hawks cut the lead to one with a pair of sixth-inning runs, taking advantage of three base hits and a hit by pitch.
WP answered during the top of the seventh when Garguilo hit a one-out single, advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt and crossed the plate on an RBI-double from graduate student first baseman AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange).
The Pioneers added two insurance runs with two outs in the eighth inning. Bailey struck out but reached base on a wild pitch, and he stole second and later scored via an error that put Aughey aboard. Aughey then swiped second and was driven in when Knauf singled.
Monaghan (4-1) allowed two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one. Freshman Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) earned his second save with 3.0 innings of two-hit ball, posting one strikeout.
Junior right fielder Keith Murphy was 2-for-3 with an RBI for MSU. Sophomore starter Donald Cusick took the loss (0-3), giving up three runs on six hits over 5.0 innings with four strikeouts.
William Paterson will host Montclair State Friday, April 10, at 3:30 p.m.
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