HOBOKEN, N.J. – Trailing 8-0 after five innings, the William Paterson baseball team (1-0) stormed back for a 9-8 season-opening victory at Stevens (2-2) Feb. 27.
Junior designated hitter Eriq Colon (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) finished 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, three RBI and three runs scored during his Pioneer debut. Senior shortstop Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored, while junior center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and senior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) each contributed a pair of hits. Senior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) provided a pair of sacrifice flies, including the game-winning RBI.
The Ducks used a pair of two-out doubles and a triple to plate two runs during the bottom of the first inning, and a Nolan Bennett solo home run to right center for a 3-0 score in the fourth.
Stevens added five more runs in the fifth. Junior third baseman Zeph Walters delivered a bases-loaded single and senior shortstop Nick Sieber drove in two more with a double to left. Junior first baseman P.J. Wiegartner then made it an 8-0 game with his two-run base hit to left field.
Colon led off the top of the seventh inning with a solo shot to right, sophomore first baseman Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) walked and Kenny had an infield hit to third. Sanchez followed with a bunt single and advanced to second on an error, driving across Hoagland, Garguilo plated Knauf with a sacrifice fly, and sophomore second baseman Rob Eggert (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) knocked a base hit up the middle to push across Sanchez to make it an 8-4 margin.
Kenny opened the eighth with a base hit and Colon followed with a homer to right-center field for an 8-6 score.
The Pioneers finished the comeback with a three-run ninth. Base hits by graduate student third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) and Kenny, and a walk from Colon, loaded the bases for Hoagland, who drew a base on balls to force across Abel. After a popup, Sanchez singled in Kenny, and Garguilo lifted a sac fly to right to plate Colon for the go-ahead run.
The Ducks had the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth, but a groundout ended the game.
Junior starter Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) allowed five runs on five hits over 4.1 innings, striking out four and walking two. Senior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) gave up three runs and four hits in 0.2 inning, and sophomore Mario Danza (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Twp.) and freshman lefty Chris Babb (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) each tossed 1.0 shutout inning of relief. Sophomore Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) picked up the victory (1-0) by striking out two and walking one during the final 2.0 hitless innings.
Sieber led Stevens at the plate with a 2-for-4 effort, a double, triple and three RBI. Senior Ryan Patterson took the loss (0-1), allowing three runs, three hits and two walks in 1.0 inning of work.
William Paterson will play its home opener Wednesday, March 2, against Drew at 3:00 p.m.
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