WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (1-1) dropped its home opener March 1 to Drew (1-1), 8-4.
The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead. Senior first baseman Bobby Miskura drilled a one-out single up the middle and junior catcher Mike Miraglia doubled down the left-field line before junior left fielder Tommy Broyles hit a groundout that scored Miskura. Junior third baseman Jonathan Rodrigues singled in Miraglia, and following a passed ball and base hit, Rodrigues scampered home on a two-out error.
The Pioneers pushed across a single run during the home half of the same inning as junior center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) was hit by a pitch, stole second and crossed the plate after a double down the left-field line by junior designated hitter Eriq Colon (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack).
Sophomore first baseman Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) led off the bottom of the second with a double to left, advanced to third on a groundout and touched home when senior shortstop Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield, making it a 3-2 game.
Drew extended its lead to 4-2 when sophomore right fielder Ryan Sabbag opened the third frame with a home run that just skimmed the top of the left-field fence.
A double to right center by graduate student third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley), an error and a fielder's choice left runners on the corners with one out for Hoagland, who dropped a base hit into left field for a 4-3 score after six innings.
The Rangers took control with a three-run seventh. A double, single and hit by pitch loaded the bases, and pinch hitter Eric DiPietro sent a grounder just inside the bag at third, a double that plated two runs. Miskura later lifted a sacrifice fly to center to drive in sophomore shortstop Isaiah Mateo.
Abate drove a two-out triple to right-center field and junior pinch hitter Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) delivered an RBI-single through the left side for a 7-4 score.
Drew finished the scoring in the ninth with a Mateo walk, sacrifice, groundout and wild pitch.
Hoagland finished 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Abate was 1-for-3 with a triple while touching home plate twice.
Sophomore Corey Martinez (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) allowed nine hits and four runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings on the mound, issuing two walks (0-1). Classmate Mario Danza (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Twp.) surrendered three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and a walk over 2.0 innings. Freshman Chris Babb (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) gave up two walks and a hit in 0.2 inning of work, classmate Chris Phillips (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) worked 1.0 perfect inning, and rookie Chase Strynkowski (Hillsdale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) allowed a pair of base on balls and one run during the ninth inning.
Sabbag led Drew at the plate with a 4-for-5 effort, including a double and home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
Senior Dylan Baxter (1-0) tossed 6.2 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Broyles earned the save (one) with 2.1 hitless innings of relief, collecting three strikeouts.
William Paterson will host Keene State for a doubleheader Sunday, March 6, at 11:30 a.m.
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