WAYNE, N.J. -- No. 30 William Paterson (14-6, 2-4 NJAC) carried a 6-2 lead into the top of the eighth inning, but visiting Montclair State (10-11, 4-3 NJAC) rallied for a 7-6 baseball victory April 10.
The Red Hawks struck first in the top of the first inning as sophomore center fielder Philip Scott bounced a leadoff double down the left-field line. After a walk was issued, sophomore second baseman Matt Long laced a single through the left side to put MSU in front, 1-0.
Junior left fielder Tyler Garguilo (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) and sophomore center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) led off the Pioneer half of the third inning with back-to-back singles. Graduate student first baseman AJ Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) advanced the runners with a ground ball to the left side, and junior third baseman K.C. Abel (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) doubled to left field to drive in the first William Paterson run of the game. A single through the left side by junior right fielder Jimmy Kenny (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex Regional) plated two more runs, giving the Pioneers a 3-1 advantage.
The Red Hawks responded in the top of the sixth inning, tacking on another run on a line-drive RBI-single up the middle off the bat of senior first baseman Christopher Reynolds.
A single by sophomore catcher Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) followed by a Garguilo sacrifice bunt set up the Pioneers offensively in the bottom of the seventh inning. A single to center by Abate put runners on the corners, and a two-RBI double by Flores stretched the Pioneer lead. Kenny plated another run with a base hit to center field for WP, making the score 6-2.
Montclair State bounced back with four runs of its own in the top of the eighth inning. Scott led off with a double, followed by a single from Matt Long. Freshman shortstop Hector Gonzalez doubled to left-center, scoring two runs, and junior Keith Murphy's RBI-single plated the third run of the inning for the Red Hawks. A stolen base by Murphy and a base hit by sophomore Ryan Long pushed another run across the plate, knotting the score at 6-6.
Junior third baseman Kevin Alonso led off the top of the ninth with a base hit and was advanced to second base on a Scott sacrifice bunt. Alonso moved to third on a ground ball back to the pitcher, and later scored the go-ahead run thanks to a Gonzalez single through the left side of the infield.
Kenny was 3-for-4 with three RBI, and Abel finished 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored. Abate went 2-for-5 and crossed the plate twice.
Freshman starter Corey Martinez (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) tossed 5.2 innings, surrendering two runs on five hits, striking out two and walking a pair. Senior Joe Moran (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) retired two of the three batters he faced, and junior Mitch D'Amato (Edison, N.J./Edison) surrendered four runs on four hits in 1.0 inning of relief. Freshman Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) allowed two hits and one run in 1.0 inning of relief work (0-1), and senior Tom Gaccione (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) tossed the final 0.2 inning and surrendered just one hit.
Gonzalez was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored to pace MSU. Starter Michael Macchia threw 6.1 innings and gave up six runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts. Senior Anthony Altieri earned the win (1-0), allowing just one hit in 1.2 scoreless innings. The save was earned by freshman Austin Minton (two) after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
William Paterson will play a doubleheader at Stockton Saturday, April 11, at 12:30 p.m.
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