HOBOKEN, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (2-1) crossed the plate five times during its first two at-bats en route to a 13-6 victory at Stevens (3-2) Feb. 19.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Graduate student second baseman Colin Lombardo opened the contest with a single to the pitcher, junior center fielder Jake Lutz doubled to center, graduate student catcher Steve Yelin hit a two-run double to left-center field and graduate student right fielder Dan Carter had an RBI-groundout to hand WP a 3-0 edge in the first inning.
- Lutz delivered Lombardo and sophomore shortstop Tyler Ruban with a two-out base hit through the right side for a 5-0 second-inning score.
- The Ducks got on the scoreboard with a two-run homer during the home half of the fourth.
- The Pioneers got one run back during their next at-bat thanks to a Yelin infield single, wild pitch, fly ball by graduate student first baseman Carson Weis and Carter groundout.
- William Paterson stretched its lead to 11-2 in the top of the sixth. Freshman third baseman Will Pitt started the inning with a base hit to right and sophomore pinch hitter Tom Radigan drew a base on balls before a pop up, balk and Lombardo intentional walk loaded the bases. Lutz lifted a sac fly to left, Yelin drilled a three-run homer and Weis immediately followed with a solo round-tripper.
- Stevens used two singles and four walks to score four two-out runs in the seventh, cutting the Pioneers' lead to 11-6.
- Freshman pinch hitter Mike Damato opened the ninth with a double, and after a Dylan Santos fielder's choice and Radigan base hit, Lombardo singled in the two runners to finish the scoring.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Yelin was 4-for-5 with a double, homer, five RBI and three runs scored. Lombardo went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and three runs, and Lutz was 2-for-5 while adding a double, run and three RBI.
- Senior Darmany Rivas worked the first 5.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, striking out three (1-0).
- Sophomore Jude Zern surrendered four runs off four hits and four walks, striking out two during 3.0 innings of relief. Sophomore Pat Pantoliano pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out one batter.
- The Pioneers were ranked 16th in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division III Preseason Poll and received votes in the D3baseball.com/National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason Top 25 Poll.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson will host St. John Fisher Friday, Feb. 24, at 2:45 p.m.
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