NEWARK, N.J. – Trailing 2-0 heading into the eighth inning, the William Paterson baseball team (16-15, 5-6 NJAC) fought back for a 4-3 victory at Rutgers-Newark (12-20, 4-7 NJAC) April 21.

The Scarlet Raiders broke the scoreless deadlock during the bottom of the fifth when senior shortstop Gerry Patrizio singled to left, stole second, was sacrificed to third and scored on a Brian Boulineau base hit to left field.

Singles from freshman second baseman Ryan Zucker, Boulineau and junior left fielder Josh Cote made it a 2-0 Rutgers-Newark lead in the seventh.

Junior Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) opened the top of the eighth with a pinch-hit single to third base, senior third baseman Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) walked and junior center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) put down a sacrifice bunt. Graduate student shortstop K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) tied the game with a two-run double to left, and after a base hit by junior designated hitter Eriq Colon (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack), senior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) pushed WP ahead with an RBI-single to short.

The Scarlet Raiders leveled the score during the home half of the eighth, as a single, walk, fielder's choice and single loaded the bases, and Zucker drew a base on balls to force across sophomore catcher Justin Marks.

Sanchez started a two-out, ninth-inning rally with his single to center field and stolen base. Abate followed with a base hit to center to provide the game-winning RBI.

Abel contributed a two-run double, and Abate was 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Senior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) pitched the first 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Freshman Eric Rosenberg (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) gave up a run and a hit while striking out one in 0.1 inning, and sophomore Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) tossed 2.0 shutout innings with one hit and two walks allowed (4-2).

Boulineau led Rutgers-Newark with a 2-for-5 effort, driving in a run. Freshman starter Anthony Rosoline gave up three runs on seven hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Junior Vincent Enea (0-3) surrendered four hits and one run, while senior Chris Nichols struck out the only batter he faced.

William Paterson will host Rutgers-Newark Friday, April 22, at 3:30 p.m.

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