WILKES-BARRE, PA. – The William Paterson baseball team (15-9) secured a 6-3 non-conference victory at Wilkes (13-17) April 11.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers touched the plate twice during their first at-bat. Graduate student second baseman Colin Lombardo started the game with a hit by pitch, followed by a double to right center by graduate student left fielder Steve Yelin and a two-run double to right-center field by graduate student first baseman Carson Weis.
- A base hit, error, groundout and sacrifice fly got the Colonels on the scoreboard during the bottom of the third inning, 2-1.
- Wilkes knotted the score at 2-2 in the fourth via a walk, stolen base, groundout and sac fly.
- WP surged back in front during the top of the fifth inning. Yelin sent a leadoff single to center and graduate student designated hitter Dan Carter singled to left. Junior center fielder Jake Lutz plated Yelin with a base hit up the middle, and after a balk, sophomore shortstop Tyler Ruban drove in two runs with a single to left, making it a 5-2 advantage.
- Sophomore catcher Eliot Germanson was issued a base on balls to start the top of the eighth and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Matthew DiGirolamo. He stole second, and advanced to third when graduate student right fielder Steven DiGirolamo sacrificed. Lombardo's RBI-single through the left side extended the lead to 6-2.
- The Colonels used a single, error and two hit by pitches to score once during the home half of the ninth, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with one out. However, the Pioneers turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Carter was 3-for-5 and scored a run, and Ruban finished 1-for-4 with two RBI. Yelin went 2-for-5 while adding a double, RBI and two runs scored.
- Sophomore Matt Lemieux tossed 7.0 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out one.
- Graduate student Matt Lawler provided 1.0 inning of perfect relief, and sophomore Pat Pantoliano was charged with a hit and a run, posting one strikeout. Senior Dan Castaneda earned his second save of the year by recording the final two outs.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson hosts Rutgers-Newark Thursday, April 13, at 3:30 p.m.
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