WAYNE, N.J. – Behind the strength of its pitching staff, the William Paterson baseball team (3-2) swept a doubleheader against visiting Keene State (1-2), 5-1 and 11-5, March 4 at Jeff Albies Field.
Game One
Junior Corey Martinez allowed just one earned run over 5.1 innings, sophomore lefty Zach Polzer spun 3.2 shutout frames in relief and the Pioneer offense provided some timely hitting as WP overcame Keene State, 5-1, in game one of the twin bill.
WP created a 3-0 advantage behind three hits, a walk and a hit by pitch in the bottom of the second. Sophomore third baseman Carlos Perez coaxed a free pass to lead off the second, freshman first baseman Carson Weis roped a single up the middle and freshman shortstop Greg Cuevas bunted them up a base. Sophomore second baseman Matt Ferrara chopped a grounder to sophomore starting pitcher Shawn O'Donnell, who fielded it and aimed to get Perez at third base, although the sophomore evaded the rundown, loading the bases. Sophomore designated hitter Vin Dorio sliced a two-RBI double into the left-field corner, plating Perez and Weis. Senior catcher Jorge Solodkin finished WP's scoring in the frame, bringing in Ferrara with an RBI-single into right.
The Owls' senior third baseman Christian Bourgea connected for a long solo home run to right field, cutting the Pioneer lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth.
Solodkin provided some insurance for the Pioneers in the bottom of the eighth inning, widening the Pioneer advantage to 5-1. Weis was hit by a pitch and Cuevas singled before Ferrara's sacrifice bunt. Dorio was the recipient of an intentional walk to load the bags for Solodkin, who hooked a two-run single inside third base.
Solodkin went 2-for-4 and Dorio went 2-for-3 as the duo delivered a combined five RBI. Weis crossed home twice, finishing 1-for-3.
Martinez (1-0) permitted only three hits while striking out two to pick up the victory. Polzer's efficient effort in long relief earned him the save. The southpaw fanned five while only allowing three base runners over 3.2 scoreless frames.
O'Donnell (0-1) was saddled with the loss, turning in 3.2 innings and permitting three earned runs on four hits and one walk while punching out four. Junior reliever Brandon Heath allowed two earned runs over 3.2 innings of relief, fanning two, and classmate Connor Johnson completed 0.2 inning of scoreless work.
Junior center fielder Devin Springfield was the lone Owl with a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-4. Bourgea went 1-for-4 with a solo home run.
Game Two
A five-run sixth inning blew the game open to allow the Pioneers to finish off the sweep, 11-5.
The Pioneers crossed the plate three times during their first at-bat. A one-out Dan Carter single, an Anthony Hoagland walk and a groundout led to a Weis run-scoring single off the pitcher. WP executed the double steal to plate Hoagland, and a two-out error allowed Weis to touch home.
WP tacked on one more in the third when Perez led off with a base hit through the right side, stole second and scored from third when Ferrara doubled to left center.
The Owls leveled the score in the top of the fifth, using two walks, an error, a hit by pitch, a two-run double and a two-RBI single.
WP took control with a five-run sixth frame. Ferrara was hit by a pitch to lead off and moved up two bases on Dorio's perfect sacrifice bunt. Solodkin singled in Ferrara and freshman center fielder Steven DiGirolamo had a base hit through the right side before a Francis Deane walk loaded the bases. Perez cleared the bags with a double down the right-field line, and he trotted home when Weis tripled to left, making it a 9-5 margin.
Keene State got one run back during the top of the eighth, but the Pioneers crossed the plate twice during the home half of the frame when Hoagland singled in DiGirolamo and freshman shortstop Greg Cuevas drew a bases-loaded walk.
Perez led the offense with his 2-for-5 effort, double, three RBI and two runs scored. Weis was 2-for-4, hit a triple and drove in a pair of runs, while DiGirolamo and Carter each contributed two hits.
Senior Adam Miller tossed the first 4.2 innings, giving up four unearned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. Senior Bryan Kopko scattered two hits over 1.0 shutout inning while posting one punchout, and junior Doug Olcese received the win (1-0) with 0.1 hitless inning, tallying two walks and a strikeout. Classmate Jack Benson pitched 2.0 innings and allowed one run, a hit and one walk while striking out two. Junior Eric Rosenberg struck out two of the four batters he faced during the top of the ninth.
Bourgea went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a pair of RBI for Keene State. Sophomore starter Andrew Houde took the loss after giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and a walk, striking out four in 5.1 innings on the mound (0-1).
The Pioneers will travel to Farmingdale State to take on the Rams Wednesday, March 7, at 3:30 p.m.
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