WAYNE, N.J. – Big defensive plays and outstanding pitching allowed the William Paterson baseball team (17-9, 4-4 NJAC) to fend off numerous threats and eventually come away with a 3-2 victory in 14 innings against visiting New Jersey City (12-11, 2-6 NJAC) April 12.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A two-out single with runners on the corners handed the Gothic Knights a 1-0 edge during the top of the first inning.
- WP leveled the score in the fourth when sophomore catcher Steve Yelin led off with a short ground ball that the pitcher threw away, a hit and an error that left him on second base. A pickoff attempt was thrown wide, sending him to third, and he later beat the throw to the plate on a Carlos Perez sac fly down the right-field line.
- NJCU looked to be in business when Ricky Voss drilled a double into the right-field corner with one out during the top of the 10th frame, but Danny Carter's throw was relayed by first baseman Carson Weis, and the tag was applied in time by Perez at third.
- With two on and one out in the 12th, WP executed a 2-3-5 caught stealing double play to end the inning and the threat.
- The Gothic Knights opened the 14th inning with a walk, and a failed pickoff throw advanced the runner to third base. Following a strikeout, the umpire called a balk, sending the go-ahead run home. Two more strikeouts held it at a 2-1 score.
- Junior designated hitter Vin Dorio launched a one-out double to right center during the home half of the 14th and Perez hit a single that the left fielder bobbled, allowing Dorio to tie the game at 2-2. After a flyout, sophomore shortstop Greg Cuevas singled to center and Carter walked, loading the bases for sophomore center fielder Steven DiGirolamo. Four straight balls forced in the game-winning run for the walk-off win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Perez was 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored, while Carter went 2-for-5.
- Senior Corey Martinez threw 115 pitches over 10.0 innings, surrendering one run on four hits and two walks. His 10 strikeouts were one shy of his career high, and during his last nine innings of work he faced just four batters more than the minimum.
- Senior Eric Rosenberg struck out a career-best seven during the final 4.0 innings, giving up one unearned run, two hits and a pair of walks (5-2).
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson welcomes No. 5/8 Rowan to Jeff Albies Field Saturday, April 13, for a doubleheader starting at 11:30 a.m.
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