The William Paterson baseball team (1-0) opened the 2012 season with a 5-4 victory over the visiting FDU-Florham Devils (0-2) March 6.

The Devils struck first in the top of the second inning on a wild pitch that plated Nick Core, who had previously reached on an error.  The Pioneers quickly answered back as senior shortstop Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) lined a ball down the right-field line, plating classmate Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional), who drew a walk to lead off the bottom half of the frame.  Dorio later came around to score on a wild pitch, giving the Pioneers an early 2-1 lead.

Junior Peter Amerosi laced a ball down the first-base line to lead off the third inning for FDU-Florham.  Senior shortstop Steve Seminerio doubled to left center, giving the Devils runners on second and third with no outs.  After two straight strikeouts, a ball in the dirt skipped away from the catcher and allowed Amerosi to score and make it a 2-2 game. 

Junior Ryan Gibbons (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) led off the bottom half of the inning with a walk, and made it to third by way of a stolen base and a wild pitch.  Senior Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) lined a ball toward the second baseman that was misplayed, allowing Gibbons to score.  A hit-and-run single by Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) pushed Montanile to third, and he later scored on another miscue by the FDU-Florham second baseman, giving the Pioneers a 4-2 advantage.

The Devils found themselves with the bases loaded with only one out in the top of the seventh, but plated just one run on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4-3.  Sophomore Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) led off the bottom half of the frame with a liner through the left side.  Gibbons stepped to the plate and ripped a double to right-center field deep enough for Ptaszynski to score, putting the Pioneers in front by a 5-3 count.

A throwing error by the Pioneers allowed Core to reach safely to lead off the eighth inning.  After a strikeout, a wild pitch allowed Core to get to second base.  Sophomore Frank LaGuarina walked, putting runners at first and third with only one out.  After a ball skipped away from the catcher, LaGuarina found himself caught in an inning-ending run down, but was not tagged out before Core was able to slide across the plate and make it a 5-4 game.

Junior J.J. Moran (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) closed the game for the Pioneers, allowing one hit and striking out one in the final inning to give the Pioneers their first win of the season.

Gibbons finished the day 1-for-3 with a RBI and a stolen base.  Derner went 2-for-3 with a walk, and Dorio was 1-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Sophomore lefty starter Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) earned the win for the Pioneers, surrendering two runs (one earned) and striking out six in the first 5.0 innings of work.  Freshman Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) made his WP debut in relief, throwing 1.1 innings and giving up one run.  Junior Matt Goitz (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne) tossed 1.2 innings, striking out four. 

Senior Glenn Cox took the loss for the Devils, tossing 4.0 innings and surrendering four runs, three earned.  Three pitchers came in relief for FDU-Florham, collectively allowing one run on four hits.