LEESBURG, FLA. – The William Paterson baseball team (4-2-1) salvaged a split during a seven-inning doubleheader with St. Norbert (1-1) March 12 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, winning the night cap by a 6-4 score after falling 4-1 in eight innings during the opener.
Game One
A three-run eighth inning allowed the Green Knights to take a 4-1 game-one victory.
The Pioneers owned the early lead after back-to-back doubles by senior center fielder Mike Abate (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and senior left fielder Mike Rowe (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) to start the bottom of the first inning.
St. Norbert tied the score in the top of the second. Sophomore third baseman Griffin Jack singled through the left side, advanced to second on an error and scored after a two-out base hit by junior center fielder Jason Malkowksi.
The two teams headed to extra innings, and the Green Knights used two WP errors and three hits, including a two-run homer, to seize the advantage.
Rowe finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Sophomore Eric Rosenberg (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) gave up one unearned run on four hits and three walks, striking out six in 7.0 innings as the starter. Junior Bryan Kopko (Colonia, N.J./Colonia) suffered the loss (0-1), giving up three hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out two.
Junior first baseman Tyler Banovich was 2-for-4 and scored a run, while junior shortstop Hunter Larson hit a two-run homer for St. Norbert.
Senior Jake McMahon threw the complete game (1-0), scattering six hits over 8.0 innings with one run allowed and six strikeouts.
Game Two
A four-run third inning allowed the Pioneers to finish the day with a 6-4 victory.
Two singles, a groundout and an error allowed St. Norbert to take a 1-0 edge during the home half of the first.
A base hit by junior shortstop Rob Eggert (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield), a fielder's choice and error off a batted ball by freshman second baseman Matt Ferrara (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), and an RBI-single by junior catcher Jorge Solodkin (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) tied the score at 1-1 in the second.
Rowe started the top of the third by reaching base via an error, followed by a base hit up the middle from junior right fielder Anthony Hoagland (Dumont, N.J./Dumont). A fielder's choice off the bat of senior first baseman Eriq Colón (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) and an error allowed Rowe to touch home, and senior designated hitter Mike Knauf (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) singled in Colón. Consecutive base hits through the right side by junior third baseman Bernard Brito (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn) and Eggert made it a 3-1 margin, and Solodkin added an RBI-single for a 4-1 lead.
The Green Knights got two runs back during the home half of the third, taking advantage of four singles, an error and a hit by pitch.
A two-out Larson single through the right side allowed St. Norbert to get within one, 5-4, in the sixth.
WP added an insurance run during the top of the seventh. Knauf doubled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner K.J. Martoral (Dumont, N.J./Dumont). Brito's single left runners on the corners, and Eggert lifted a sacrifice fly to left field.
Solodkin and Eggert went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Hoagland, Knauf and Brito each contributed a pair of hits.
Sophomore Corey Martinez (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) improved to 2-0, surrendering four runs (two earned) on 12 hits while posting two strikeouts during 5.0 innings. Senior Frank Colasante (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) picked up his first save of the season with 2.0 innings of shutout relief, giving up a pair of hits.
Larson led SNC at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Freshman Tyler Rouze (0-1) pitched the complete game, giving up 12 hits and six runs (three earned).
William Paterson will face No. 7 Wisconsin-LaCrosse Monday, March 13, at 11:00 a.m. at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit http://www.wpupioneers.com and http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.