WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (1-0) opened its 2015 campaign with a 9-5 victory against visiting Manhattanville (3-4) March 11 at Jeff Albies Field. Junior third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while freshman first baseman Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) went 2-for-3 with a double, three runs-batted-in and a run scored.

The Valiants struck first, using two walks, a wild pitch and a Joe Anselmi sacrifice fly for a 1-0 edge during the top of the first inning. That lead was short-lived, however, as the Pioneers struck for six runs in the home half of the frame. Junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) hit a one-out single up the middle and Abel followed with a base hit to left, followed by an RBI-single to center by junior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional). Graduate student designated hitter AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) plated two runs with his double into the left-center gap, and he touched home after a sacrifice bunt that was thrown away at first. Junior shortstop Victor Sanchez (Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) then stole second base and trotted home thanks to a triple by sophomore catcher Brady Pevny (West Milford, N.J./West Milford). Hoagland doubled in Pevny, making it a 6-1 WP advantage.

Abel led off the second inning with a base hit, stole second and later advanced to third on a Flores infield single. After Flores advanced 90 feet via a stolen base, Hoagland drove in both runners with a base hit to left field, making it an 8-1 game after two frames.

A walk, single and sac fly allowed Manhattanville to tack on one third-inning run, and the Valiants added a pair of unearned runs during the top of the fifth, cutting the Pioneers' lead to 8-4.

Hoagland led off the bottom of the fifth with a base on balls and was sacrificed to second before Garguilo was issued a walk. Abel hit a grounder the other way, finding a hole on the right side of the infield for an RBI-single and a 9-4 game.

Manhattanville finished the scoring thanks to a Vincenzo Pepe double and a Nick Campana pinch-hit single during the top of the ninth inning.

Flores was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Sophomore starter Mike Sasso (West Orange, N.J./Montclair Kimberley) earned the victory (1-0), allowing two runs and one hit, striking out two and walking four in 3.0 innings before reaching his pitch limit. Senior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) gave up two unearned runs and three hits in 4.0 innings of work, posting two strikeouts, while freshman Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) struck out one Valiant in 1.0 scoreless inning of relief. Classmate Corey Martinez (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) pitched the ninth and allowed one run and two hits.

Junior second baseman Kurt Hommen was 2-for-3 with a run scored for Manhattanville. Senior starter Michael Lyon took the loss (0-1), surrendering six runs (five earned) and five hits in 0.1 inning.

William Paterson will play Baruch at MCU Park Thursday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m.

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