WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (11-18-1, 5-9-1 NJAC) dropped a 12-3 baseball decision to Montclair State (17-15, 10-5 NJAC) on Senior Day April 24 at Jeff Albies Field.
The Red Hawks took the early lead with a Connor Abreu leadoff single to left, groundout, Lou Martini base hit and Christopher Reynolds RBI-single through the left side, making it a 1-0 score during the top of the first.
MSU strung together three bases hits, the last by freshman right fielder Ryan Long to center field, to tack on another run in the second.
The Pioneers halved that lead during the home half of the same frame. Sophomore left fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) hit a one-out single up the middle, and freshman center fielder Mike Abate's (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) sacrifice attempt resulted in a base hit. Following a strikeout, senior second baseman Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) delivered a run-scoring double down the left-field line.
Senior shortstop Cody Pace's two-run homer over the right-field fence made it a 4-1 game in the fourth. Freshman center fielder Philip Scott tripled to right field and scored via a P.J. Jennings sacrifice fly for a 5-1 margin during the top of the fifth inning.
The Red Hawks hung five on the scoreboard during the top of the sixth, including a three-run Jennings homer to center, and took advantage of a Kyle Murphy RBI-single and a Pace run-scoring groundout for a 12-1 lead in the eighth.
During the home half of the eighth, sophomore pinch hitter Alex Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) hit a one-out single up the middle, and three batters later sophomore left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) knocked him in with a base hit to left center.
Sophomore first baseman Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) opened the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle and freshman second baseman Alex Bogart (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) walked. Following a strikeout and popup, Derner sent Sasso home with another base hit up the middle.
Derner finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored, and Kenny was 2-for-3 and scored a run.
Senior Anthony DeEsposito (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) allowed five runs and eight hits over 5.0 innings, striking out five and walking one while suffering his first loss of the season (3-1). Classmate Jake Menzo (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) gave up five runs and seven hits in 1.0 inning, and sophomore Dave Marcelino (Englewood, N.J./Paramus Catholic) pitched 1.0 inning and surrendered two runs off three hits. Sophomore Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) had one strikeout and a walk during his 2.0 scoreless innings.
Reynolds finished 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Sophomore Michael Macchia improved to 5-1, allowing one run and four hits during his 6.0 innings, striking out four and walking one. Freshman Josh Felix tossed the final 3.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out three and walking a pair.
Prior to the game, WP honored seniors DeEsposito, Trevor Haughney (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), Menzo, Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) and Ptaszynski.
William Paterson will visit Montclair State Friday, April 25, at 3:30 p.m.
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