WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (1-6) suffered a pair of one-run losses to visiting RIT (2-2), 13-12 and 3-2, March 3.
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Tigers seized a 3-0 lead during their first at-bat with a double, RBI-single and home run.
- The Pioneers got two runs back during the home half of the third. Junior left fielder Austin Jack started the frame with a single up the middle and junior catcher Connor Luckie doubled down the left-field line. Sophomore second baseman Sean McAllister's ground ball to the left side was enough to plate Jack, and two batters later junior third baseman Tom Radigan dropped a two-out base hit into shallow left to plate Luckie for a 3-2 score.
- RIT opened the top of the fourth inning with a homer to left for a 4-2 advantage, then tacked on one more in the fifth thanks to a single and double.
- WP racked up a six-run fifth inning. Luckie led off with a solo shot to left-center field, followed by an error and a fielder's choice that resulted in senior center fielder Jake Lutz standing on first. Radigan doubled to right center and junior shortstop Tyler Ruban walked to load the bases for junior pinch hitter RJ Mehnert, who forced across a run with his base on balls. Freshman first baseman Ty Kobylakiewicz gave the Pioneers the lead with a two-run single to left, and after a wild pitch, a fielder's choice allowed sophomore pinch runner Matthew DiGirolamo to touch home, and a squeeze bunt by Jack scored Kobylakiewicz, making it an 8-5 WP lead.
- A base hit, walk, single, fielder's choice and error produced two Tiger runs during the top of the sixth inning.
- RIT regained the lead with four runs in the seventh, stringing together a walk, two singles, a bases-loaded hit by pitch and a three-run double for an 11-8 margin.
- WP used a Ruban double, Mike Novak groundout and Kobylakiewicz double for one run in the bottom of the seventh inning, making it an 11-9 score.
- The Tigers added two more to their lead in the ninth, pushing it to a 13-9 advantage with two base hits, a passed ball, an RBI-groundout and a double.
- Kobylakiewicz started the bottom of the ninth inning with a base hit up the middle, junior designated hitter Gio Aresta dropped a single down the right-field line, and Jack doubled in one runner. Luckie plated a run with a groundout and junior third baseman Ruven Pino hit an RBI-single to left, cutting the lead to 13-12 with one out. Lutz was hit by a pitch to put the potential game-winning run on base, but a strikeout and groundout ended the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Kobylakiewicz was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored.
- Luckie went 2-for-5 while adding a double, home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Jack finished 2-for-3 and posted a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
- Junior Chase Geisler allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out six during 5.0 innings as the starter.
- Sophomore Jose Marte worked 1.0 inning, giving up two runs (one earned), two hits and a walk.
- Graduate student Dan Castaneda surrendered four runs, two hits and a base on balls (0-2).
- Junior Nick Diaz gave up one hit over his 1.0 inning of relief, registering one strikeout.
- Freshman Kevin Reiner pitched 2.0 innings during his first college action, allowing two runs and three hits while striking out three.
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- RIT once again struck first, this time with a base hit, stolen base and single for a 1-0 second-inning lead.
- WP answered during the home half of the second with a Jack leadoff infield single, stolen base and error, and Luckie double to right field.
- A base hit, error and single made it a 2-1 Tiger lead in the fourth, and a solo homer doubled RIT's advantage in the fifth.
- Senior right fielder Noah Cabassa started the bottom of the seventh inning with an infield single, moved to second on a McAllister groundout and scored when Lutz doubled down the left-field line, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Lutz went 2-for-3 while contributing a double and RBI.
- Luckie finished 1-for-4 and posted a double and RBI.
- Senior Ian Metzger tossed 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) and nine hits while collecting four strikeouts (0-2).
- Senior Nick Nielson gave up one hit and struck out two batters during 1.0 shutout inning of relief.
- Junior Nick Durso tossed 1.0 scoreless inning, walking one and striking out one.
- Junior Neel Telidevara worked 1.0 shutout inning, posting two strikeouts with one hit allowed.
- For the fifth time already this season, the Pioneers had either the potential tying or go-ahead run either on base or at the plate during their final at-bat, but could not capitalize for a victory. WP's six losses have come by a total of 12 runs.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will play its first road game of the season Wednesday, March 6, at Scranton at 4:00 p.m.
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