PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – The William Paterson baseball team (7-6-2) scored seven unanswered runs to secure a 7-3 comeback victory at St. Joseph's-Long Island (8-5) March 29.
WP spotted the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead, as SJLI used three doubles to plate a pair of second-inning runs and an error, catcher's interference and RBI-single for one more in the third.
The Pioneers answered with two runs during the top of the fourth inning. Senior first baseman Eriq Colón (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) drew a leadoff walk, and after a strikeout, freshman second baseman Matt Ferrara (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) singled to up the middle and sophomore third baseman Jon Bernotas (Andover, N.J./Newton) had a groundout to leave two runners in scoring position. Sophomore center fielder Garett Wiedemann (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) delivered both with a base hit to right-center field.
William Paterson seized a 5-3 lead in the fifth. Senior designated hitter Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) opened the frame with a base hit through the right side, and after a groundout, he touched home thanks to an RBI-single to right by junior right fielder Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont). Colón reached via an error, freshman left fielder Carlos Perez (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne) delivered Hoagland with a base hit to center, and Colón scored when Ferrara put down a squeeze bunt.
The Pioneers finished the scoring with two runs during the top of the sixth inning. Wiedemann walked and was sacrificed to second by junior shortstop Rob Eggert (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield). Abate's infield single left runners on the corners, and after a popup, Hoagland's two-out single to left drove in Wiedemann. A Colón base hit, coupled with an error, made it a 7-3 margin.
Hoagland was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, and Abate finished 2-for-3 while scoring twice.
Sophomore starter Corey Martinez (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) threw the first 2.0 innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three. Junior Mario Danza (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Twp.) allowed one unearned run on four hits while posting one strikeout over 3.0 innings to earn the victory (1-0). Sophomore Eric Rosenberg (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) surrendered two hits over 1.0 inning, punching out one, and freshman Zach Polzer (North Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Tech) had one strikeout during 1.0 inning of hitless relief. Freshman Jack DeFouw (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) tossed the final 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and collecting one strikeout.
Freshman shortstop Anthony Raucci and sophomore catcher Daniel Campanelli were both 2-for-4 for the Golden Eagles. Junior starter Nick Clemente suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks during 4.1 innings of work, striking out three (2-1).
William Paterson will host Manhattanville Thursday, March 30, at 3:30 p.m.
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