WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (11-5) scored seven times combined during its last two at-bats for an 11-6 victory March 31 against visiting SUNY Cobleskill (4-9).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers struck first with a two-run third inning. Graduate student second baseman Colin Lombardo was hit by a one-out pitch and stole second, graduate student catcher Steve Yelin singled up the middle to plate Lombardo, Yelin stole second, and graduate student first baseman Carson Weis sent an RBI-double to left-center field.
- The Fighting Tigers jumped ahead 3-2 in the top of the fourth with two walks, a double and a run-scoring single.
- WP made it a 4-3 game in the fifth. Lombardo singled up the middle and stole second before junior center fielder Jake Lutz drew a walk. Yelin doubled in Lombardo, and two batters later Lutz scampered home on a wild pitch.
- William Paterson extended its lead during the home half of the seventh. Lombardo and Lutz started the inning with back-to-back bases on balls. Yelin's single to the left-center gap was bobbled by the center fielder, and the throw to the plate was high, a base hit and two errors that resulted in two runs scored and Yelin standing on second base. Weis promptly followed with a homer to left, his third of the season, and the Pioneers owned an 8-3 advantage.
- A pair of base hits, an RBI-double and a two-run single cut the Pioneers' lead to 8-6 in the top of the eighth.
- WP answered with three scores during its next at-bat. Lombardo led off with an infield base hit, moved to second on a wild pitch and third via a Lutz flyout. Yelin walked and Weis doubled in both runners, then touched home himself when sophomore pinch hitter Ruven Pino delivered a single up the middle.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Weis finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, five RBI and two runs scored. Yelin went 3-for-4 and posted a double, two RBI and three runs, and Lombardo finished 2-for-2 while stealing three bases and scoring four times.
- Sophomore starter Matt Lemieux surrendered three runs on four hits and four walks, striking out two during 6.0 innings of action (2-0).
- Classmate Pat Pantoliano tossed 2.0 innings and gave up three runs, four hits and a walk, posting three strikeouts. Freshman Chris Quartuccio pitched a scoreless ninth, walking one batter.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will start conference play Sunday, April 2, with a doubleheader at No. 10 Rowan. First pitch will be at 11:30 a.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS: