March 15, 2014

Pasternak Singles in Game-Winning Run as William Paterson Baseball Defeats Suffolk, 6-5

Batting

Suffolk
2B: none
3B: none
HR: none
William Paterson
2B: none
3B: Aj Flores
HR: none
full stats

LAKELAND, FLA. – Senior shortstop Rob Pasternak's (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) bases-loaded single during the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the William Paterson baseball team (1-1) to a 6-5 victory against Suffolk (3-6) March 15 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

 

The Pioneers had to rally late after allowing the Rams to build a 4-0 advantage. Suffolk used a single, sacrifice and hit by pitch to load the bases during the top of the first, and a base hit to center field made it a 2-0 score.

 

A two-out hit by pitch and consecutive singles pushed it to a 3-0 lead in the sixth, and the Rams again manufactured a run with two outs in the seventh, taking advantage of a pair of walks and a base hit.

 

WP finally got on the scoreboard, and in a big way, during the home half of the eighth. Sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) and freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) started the frame with singles, and a fielder's choice and error allowed Kenny to cross the plate. Pasternak singled in Abate, senior designated hitter AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) drilled a two-run triple to left center, and senior first baseman Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) plated Flores with a base hit, handing William Paterson a 5-4 edge.

 

A leadoff single and a two-base error set up a sacrifice fly, the tying run during the top of the ninth inning.

 

Kenny, Abate and sophomore Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) all produced singles to start the home half of the frame, setting up Pasternak's game-winning hit.

 

Pasternak was 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Flores, Kenny and Abate each contributed a pair of hits.

 

Sophomore Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) was the starter, allowing three runs and eight hits in 5.2 innings, striking out five and walking two. Junior Kevin Cowan (Elizabeth, N.J./Roselle Catholic) tossed the final 3.1 innings (1-0), giving up two runs (one earned) and two hits.

 

Freshman Luke Ronchi led Suffolk at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 and scoring a run. Classmate Mark Fusco took the loss in the ninth inning (0-1).

 

William Paterson will face Worcester State for a doubleheader Sunday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m.

 

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