WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (6-8, 1-0 NJAC) started its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) baseball schedule with a 6-3 victory against visiting Ramapo (10-5, 0-1 NJAC) April 3. Senior starter Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) struck out five while scattering three hits during 7.0 innings on the mound to lead the Pioneers.
Roadrunner sophomore second baseman Joe Venturino started the game with a hard-hit grounder back up the middle, and junior center fielder Scott Peschiani followed with a double to left-center fielder, plating the game's first run.
WP got its bats going for four third-inning scores. Sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) hit a leadoff single to center and sophomore first baseman Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) walked before freshman right fielder Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) put down a successful sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Freshman center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) bunted the ball dead four feet in front of the plate and it was fielded by the catcher, but he couldn't turn and apply the tag to Kenny in time, a squeeze play that tied the score at 1-1. Abate's stolen base was followed by a Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) hit by pitch, leading to a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore shortstop K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley). Back-to-back RBI-singles to center field by senior designated hitter Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) and senior shortstop Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) made it a 4-1 WP advantage.
Abel doubled in Abate and later scored himself thanks to a wild pitch, extending the lead to 6-1 after five. Ramapo crossed the plate twice during the top of the ninth, taking advantage of a hit by pitch, Chris Werr pinch-hit double, Garrett Luna sac fly and Jose Garcia RBI-double.
Haughney went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Abel drove in a pair of runs. DeEsposito settled down after the first inning, improving to 2-0 this season. Sophomore Frankie Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) allowed three hits and two runs over 2.0 innings.
Peschiani was 2-for-4 and drove in a runner for Ramapo. Junior Kyle Doerr gave up four runs and four hits in 2.2 innings, striking out three and walking one (0-3). Sophomore Pasquale LaBracio surrendered a run and a walk in 1.1 innings, and junior Mark Doyle allowed a run on two hits over 3.0 innings, striking out five and walking one. Freshman Chris Beischer tossed the final 1.0 inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
William Paterson will play at Ramapo Friday, April 4, at 3:30 p.m.
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