WAYNE, N.J. – Senior Adam Miller retired all but one batter, spinning a 132-pitch gem as the William Paterson baseball team (12-7, 1-2 NJAC) defeated Montclair State (13-7, 2-1 NJAC) by a 2-0 count April 5.
The Pioneers wasted no time, posting a single run during their first at-bat. Freshman center fielder Steven DiGirolamo led off with an infield single, then tagged up and advanced to second when freshman right fielder lifted a long fly ball to the warning track. Freshman shortstop Greg Cuevas drew a base on balls, and sophomore designated hitter Carlos Perez delivered an RBI-single through the left side of the infield for a 1-0 edge.
WP tacked on one more in the third when Cuevas opened the frame with a base hit up the middle, stole second and reached third on a throwing error by the catcher, and sprinted home after Perez launched a sacrifice fly to right.
Miller's no-hitter was broken up in the fifth when a diving Anthony Hoagland was unable to secure a shallow two-out hit into left-center field. The Red Hawks threatened with runners on first and second later in the inning, but freshman first baseman Carson Weis made an outstanding play, leaping up and pulling back a foul ball from over the fence for the final out. MSU had a runner on second with one out in the sixth before two Miller strikeouts ended the frame, and he sat down six of the next seven batters to get to the ninth.
The Red Hawks opened the top of the ninth with a base hit up the middle, then a flyout and strikeout before a nine-pitch walk brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Junior Eric Rosenberg replaced Miller, and freshman third baseman Christopher Liriano made a diving stab at a line drive to his glove side, securing the catch to end the game.
Weis went 3-for-3 at the dish with a double, and sophomore second baseman Matt Ferrara finished 2-for-4 with a double.
Miller (2-0) scattered four hits over his 8.2 innings, striking out nine and walking three. Rosenberg notched his third save.
Four different Red Hawks accounted for Montclair State's hits.
Senior Michael Manfra (4-3) surrendered two runs on seven hits and three walks during 4.0 innings as the starter, while junior Max Maarleveld tossed 2.0 shutout innings of relief, striking out three while giving up a pair of hits. Sophomore Tyler Higggins allowed two hits while striking out one in 1.0 inning of work, and senior Austin Minton punched out one over 1.0 inning.
William Paterson will play at Montclair State Friday, April 6, at 3:30 p.m.
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