WAYNE, N.J. – After spotting the Red Hawks an early nine-run lead, No. 23 William Paterson (20-6, 11-4 NJAC) rallied to get the go-ahead run to the plate late, but Montclair State (19-5, 11-4 NJAC) was able to hold on for a 12-9 baseball victory April 29.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Red Hawks crossed the plate twice during the top half of the first inning with a walk, sacrifice, balk, passed ball and solo homer.
- The Pioneers answered with a three-run second. Junior right fielder Steve Yelin opened with a leadoff walk and senior first baseman Carson Weis singled to center field before junior designated hitter Dan Carter blasted a home run to left center, making it a 3-2 WP edge.
- Montclair State exploded for 10 runs in the top half of the third inning, using nine hits (seven singles, two doubles), a hit by pitch, a wild pitch, an RBI-groundout and a walk.
- Senior catcher Dylan Habeeb singled to right field and Yelin homered to deep left, making it a 12-5 game in the fifth.
- Senior left fielder Frankie Deane drew a one-out walk and junior second baseman Colin Lombardo lined a two-out pitch down the left-field line for his second career home run, pulling William Paterson to within five at 12-7 after six frames.
- WP added two more in the eighth, thanks to a Weis leadoff walk and a Carter two-run shot to right-center field, making it a 12-9 score. Deane was then issued a base on balls, and after a strikeout, Lombardo single through the left side, groundout and Matt Ferrara walk, the bases were loaded with two outs. However, the Pioneers were unable to add any more to their tally, as a strikeout ended the inning.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- All nine of the Pioneers' runs scored via the long ball. Carter was 2-for-4 with a pair of homers and five RBI, and Lombardo finished 2-for-4 while adding a two-run homer. Yelin went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run.
- Senior Jason Palmeri was charged with eight runs allowed, eight hits and a walk during 2.0 innings (4-3).
- Junior Matt Lawler gave up four runs on four hits, walking one and striking out one during 1.0 inning. Freshman Pat Warburton spun the final 6.0 innings, scattering three hits and four walks without allowing a run, striking out three.
UP NEXT:
- Now tied for second place in the league standings, William Paterson and Montclair State will square off Friday, April 30, in Montclair at 3:30 p.m.
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