WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (9-16-1, 3-8-1 NJAC) dropped a 5-1 decision to visiting No. 8/8 Kean (23-8, 8-4 NJAC) April 18.
The Cougars wasted no time, hanging a pair of runs on the scoreboard during their first at-bat. Sophomore center fielder Matt Meleo hit a one-out double down the right-field line, and an error put runners on the corners for junior third baseman Andy Lopez. He drilled a double into left field that plated Meleo, and an errant throw on the play allowed the second runner to cross the plate, making it a 2-0 game.
Senior left fielder Joe O'Connor started the top half of the fourth with a home run to right, extending the lead to 3-0, and a Meleo leadoff triple and Lopez RBI-single made it 4-0 in the fifth.
Base hits by senior second baseman Tyler Smarslok and Meleo allowed sophomore right fielder Ryan Kelley to hit a seventh-inning sacrifice fly for the Cougars' fifth run.
The Pioneers pushed across a run during the home half of the seventh. Senior designated hitter Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) and sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) started the frame with walks, and after a groundout advanced the runners, freshman center fielder Mike Abate's (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) grounder was enough for Haughney to score.
Four Pioneers accounted for WP's four hits. Junior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) suffered the loss (0-3), allowing 11 hits and five runs (four earned) during 6.1 innings. Junior Ryan Monaghan (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) struck out two during his 1.2 innings, and sophomore Cavan Penberthy (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) tossed 1.0 inning and gave up a hit.
Meleo finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored for Kean. Junior Charles Thielmann (3-2) pitched the complete game, surrendering a run and four hits while walking four and striking out three.
William Paterson will play a doubleheader at New Jersey City Saturday, April 19, at 11:30 a.m.
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