GRANVILLE, OHIO – William Paterson (30-14, 12-6 NJAC) had its chances early but couldn't capitalize, dropping a 10-1 decision to No. 7 Salisbury (31-8, 6-0 C2C) during the NCAA Tournament Granville Regional's first round May 20 at Denison's Big Red Baseball Field.
Third-seeded WP will face fourth-seeded Penn State Harrisburg (30-16, 19-2 UEC) in the second round of the double-elimination regional Saturday, May 21, at 11:00 a.m. The winner of that game will advance to play Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against the loser of the 2:30 p.m. game between second-seeded Salisbury and top-seeded and 13th-ranked Denison (34-9, 16-2 NCAC). The loser of the WP/Penn State Harrisburg game will see its season come to an end.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Pioneers had the bases loaded thanks to two hit by pitches and a walk with one out during the top of the first inning, but a strikeout and groundout ended the frame. A hit by pitch, a single up the middle by senior third baseman Colin Lombardo and a walk again loaded the bags, this time with two outs in the second, but a strikeout ended the threat.
- The Sea Gulls got on the scoreboard with a bases-loaded walk during the home half of the second.
- WP knotted the score at 1-1 in the third when senior designated hitter Dylan Habeeb doubled down the left-field line, moved to third on a senior catcher Steve Yelin groundout, and scored when graduate student first baseman Carson Weis singled down the right-field line.
- A two-run homer handed Salisbury a 3-1 edge after three innings.
- Salisbury added three more in the fourth with a bases-loaded hit by pitch and a two-run base hit.
- A pair of doubles made it a 7-1 score after five innings.
- Salisbury's two-run single in the sixth and solo homer in the eighth finished the scoring.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Carson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, and senior center fielder Justin Grippo was 2-for-4 at the plate.
- Senior Riley Weis was charged with six runs on two hits and six walks, striking out three during 3.2 innings of action (4-2).
- Junior Dan Castaneda surrendered three hits and a run over 0.2 inning, and freshman Pat Pantoliano gave up two runs, two hits and a pair of walks while posting one strikeout in 1.2 innings. Classmate Nick Durso worked the final 2.0 innings and surrendered one run on three hits.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS: