PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – The William Paterson baseball team (13-8) opened up an early lead at St. Joseph's-Long Island (9-5) April 5, cruising to an 11-4 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A walk and two singles handed the host Golden Eagles a 1-0 first-inning edge.
- The Pioneers responded with five two-out runs during the top of the second. Senior left fielder Dan Carter singled and stole second before an error off the bat of senior right fielder Vinnie Martin plated Carter. After a Jake Lutz walk, senior shortstop Chris Liriano hit an RBI-single to left center and senior second baseman Colin Lombardo sent a two-run double to center field. Junior center fielder Elliott Hayward added a run-scoring base hit to left and WP owned a 5-1 lead.
- William Paterson added six more to its tally in the fourth. Lutz drew a leadoff walk and Liriano promptly homered to left field. Hayward and senior third baseman Steve Yelin were issued free passes, leading to a Habeeb RBI-double. Graduate student first baseman Carson Weis was hit by a pitch to load the bags, Carter's sac fly and an error plated two runs, and Martin added a run-scoring double, making it an 11-1 margin.
- SJLI used a pair of base hits and a sacrifice fly for one single seventh-inning tally.
- The Golden Eagles finished the scoring with two more in the ninth, thanks to four consecutive singles.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Liriano went 3-for-4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored.
- Carter finished 2-for-3 while adding a double, RBI and run, while Habeeb and Martin both posted 2-for-4 efforts and each had a double, RBI and run scored.
- Freshman Nick Durso tossed 6.0 innings during his first collegiate start, scattering five hits, one run and four walks while striking out three (1-0).
- Sophomore Pat Warburton gave up a run on two hits during 1.0 inning of relief, and senior Justin Grippo allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts during his 1.1 innings. Freshman Pat Pantoliano recorded the final two outs, surrendering one hit.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson plays a single game at The College of New Jersey Thursday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m.
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