WINTER HAVEN, FLA. – A two-run eighth inning allowed the William Paterson baseball team (5-5) to finish its Spring Break trip with a 7-6 victory against Denison (3-7) March 22 at the RussMatt Central Florida Baseball Invitational.
Sophomore third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) was 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, senior shortstop Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) finished 4-for-5, drove in a run and scored once himself, and senior second baseman AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) went 2-for-4 and posted a double, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.
A single, stolen base and double gave the Big Red a 1-0 first-inning lead, but the Pioneers tied things up during the home half of the second. Abel led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third via a wild pitch before a dropped third strike required a throw to first, giving Abel enough time to cross the plate.
WP staked itself to a 3-1 lead in the third. Freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored thanks to Pasternak's single up the middle. Two walks loaded the bases for Abel, who delivered an RBI-single.
Flores singled in Abate to make it a 4-1 William Paterson lead after four innings, but Denison responded with a four-run sixth, taking advantage of two walks, a hit by pitch, RBI-groundout and three-run homer to jump ahead by a 5-4 count.
The Pioneers tied things up during the home half of the frame after Flores reached thanks to a fielder's choice, stole second and crossed the plate after a base hit by senior designated hitter Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge).
Three base hits allowed Denison to again take a lead, this time 6-5 in the seventh. Freshman Chris Santaniello (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) started the eighth with a pinch-hit single, and was lifted for pinch runner Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus). Abate sacrificed him to second, and Garguilo moved to third via a groundout. Flores doubled to left center to plate Garguilo for the tying run, and after Haughney was intentionally walked, Abel delivered the go-ahead run with his base hit to right field.
Senior starter Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) allowed six runs and five hits in 6.0 innings, striking out three and walking three. Junior Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) earned the victory in relief, surrendering five hits over 2.1 scoreless innings (1-0). Junior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) registered an out, as did senior Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial), who picked up his first save.
Junior right fielder Georgie Montes and freshman second baseman Conner Madey were each 3-for-4 for Denison. Freshman reliever Connor Hanrahan took the loss (0-1), giving up three runs and four hits in 3.2 innings.
William Paterson will open their home slate Tuesday, March 25, against Staten Island at 3:30 p.m.
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