WAYNE, N.J. – Strong performances at the plate and on the mound allowed William Paterson (9-11-1, 3-3-1 NJAC) to cruise past visiting The College of New Jersey (15-7, 4-3 NJAC) for a 6-0 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) baseball victory April 10.
Senior third baseman Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) got the offense started with a first-inning leadoff single, stole second and was sacrificed to third by sophomore shortstop K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills). Senior first baseman Trevor Haughney's (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) base hit to left center plated Pasternak, and sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) doubled in Haughney, making it a 2-0 game.
Three more Pioneers touched the plate during the second inning. Senior second baseman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) started the frame with a base hit, and when freshman right fielder Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) put down a sacrifice bunt, an error resulted in both runners being safe. Pasternak's sacrifice was successful, and after a foulout, Haughney's two-bagger cleared the bases. Kenny followed with a two-out RBI-single back up the middle, and the Pioneers owned a 5-0 advantage.
A one-out Pasternak walk, Abel single and Haughney run-scoring groundout finished the WP scoring in the fourth.
Haughney went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and four RBI. Kenny was 2-for-4, hit a double and drove in a pair of runs.
Senior starter Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) turned in 7.0 strong innings on the hill, scattering six hits while striking out four Lions and walking two (3-0). Junior Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) and sophomore Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) each tossed 1.0 inning of relief.
Junior Joshua Limon had the only TCNJ multi-hit effort, going 3-for-4. Sophomore Evan Edelman pitched the complete game, surrendering nine hits and six runs (two earned) with four strikeouts and three walks (2-1).
William Paterson will visit The College of New Jersey Friday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m.
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