WAYNE, N.J. – Junior Kevin Cowan (Elizabeth, N.J./Roselle Catholic) carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning but the William Paterson baseball team (5-7) eventually succumbed to visiting Drew (6-7), 4-1 in 14 innings, March 31 at Jeff Albies Field.
Ranger freshman Michael Manfra worked out of several early jams for the Rangers, including two on with one out during the bottom of the third inning and bases loaded and one out in the fourth, but the Pioneers were finally able to break through during the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore first baseman Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) sent a hard-hit ball to the track that the Drew left-fielder couldn't snare, a double to get the frame started. He was sacrificed to third by sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional), and after an error put runners on the corners, pinch hitter Alex Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) delivered a sacrifice fly to score the game's first run.
A flared single to left, a strikeout and an infield base hit to short as the fielders were in motion on the hit-and-run opened the opportunistic Drew eighth. After a wild pitch allowed the runners to advance to second and third, freshman outfielder Michael Di Donato tied the game with his grounder up the middle.
The Rangers had the go-ahead run 90 feet away with two outs during the top of the 11th inning, but junior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) was brought in and he induced the inning-ending flyout. The Pioneers were in the same position in the home half of the 13th, but could not score the runner from third due to a strikeout and groundout.
Drew surged ahead with a three-run 14th. A two-base error to start the inning was followed by an intentional walk, but WP got the lead runner thanks to a fielder's choice grounder. However, freshman Tommy Broyles broke the deadlock with his double down the right-field line, and another intentional walk and a strikeout brought Di Donato to the plate, the defensive replacement again made his presence felt offensively with a two-run single through the right side.
Kenny was 2-for-5 for the Pioneers, while freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and freshman catcher Brady Pevny (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) were both 2-for-6.
Cowan struck out three and walked one during 7.2 innings on the mound, giving up one run and three hits. Sophomore Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) allowed a hit during his 0.2 inning, and senior Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) registered two strikeouts and a surrendered one hit during 1.2 innings. Senior Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) gave up a hit in 0.2 inning, and Moran took the loss (0-2) with four strikeouts, three walks, two hits and three unearned runs during 3.1 innings of action.
Di Donato finished 3-for-5 with three RBI for the Rangers. Junior reliever Matthew Hunter picked up the win (2-0), tossing 4.0 innings of shutout ball.
William Paterson will host St. Joseph's-Long Island Tuesday, April 1, at 3:30 p.m.
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