WAYNE, N.J. – Junior shortstop Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) was 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBI and a pair of runs scored as the William Paterson baseball team (13-5, 1-3 NJAC) upset No. 5/5 Kean (18-5, 3-1 NJAC), 9-3, April 3.
The Pioneers wasted no time, crossing the plate five times during their first at-bat. Graduate student first baseman AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) drew a one-out walk, junior third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) singled to right and junior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) was issued a base on balls to load it up for Sanchez, who drilled a three-run triple to right-center field. Following a groundout, freshman designated hitter Jordan Aughey (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) put a perfect bunt down the third-base line, an infield single that plated Sanchez. Aughey then stole second and advanced to third when the throw down found its way into center field, and sophomore catcher Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) followed with an RBI-single to left center.
The Cougars got two of those runs back during the top half of the fourth inning. Junior first baseman Sal Taormina singled and freshman third baseman Matt Krupa doubled him in, followed by a wild pitch and an RBI-groundout by junior right fielder Ryan Kelley.
An Anthony Fischetti leadoff triple and a Chris Amato groundout to short made it a 5-3 score in the fifth. But, WP took advantage of a two-out error and a double to the left-center gap by junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) to score once during the home half of the same frame.
William Paterson blew the game open with a three-run sixth inning. Flores put a one-out single through the hole on the right side of the infield, and Abel followed with a base hit through the left side. After a flyout, Sanchez walked to load the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Flores to scamper home. Freshman second baseman Jacob Bailey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) then dropped a base hit into left field, bringing in two more runs and making it a 9-3 contest.
Abel went 3-for-5 and scored twice, while Knauf finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Senior starter Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) improved to 3-1, allowing six hits and three runs over 5.0 innings with one strikeout. Freshman Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) pitched 3.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits while striking out one, and junior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) had a strikeout and a walk while tossing the ninth inning.
Eight different Cougars accounted for Kean's eight hits. Starter Dan Hansen took the loss (0-1), giving up five hits and five runs, four earned, and striking out three while walking two during 1.2 innings on the mound.
William Paterson will play a doubleheader at The College of New Jersey Saturday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m.
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