WAYNE, N.J. – Trailing 6-2 in the middle of the eighth inning, the William Paterson baseball team (15-8) rallied for four runs in the ninth, then used a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Jorge Solodkin in the 10th for a walk-off 7-6 victory against U.S. Merchant Marine (21-5) April 10.
Freshman shortstop Greg Cuevas started the ninth-inning rally with a one-out single through the right side, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Junior first baseman Shane Adams sent an RBI-single to center field and moved to second on the throw to the plate before being lifted for a pinch runner, senior pitcher Bryan Kopko. He stole second on ball four to Solodkin, and scampered home when freshman center fielder Steven DiGirolamo lifted a sac fly to center. Freshman left fielder Francis Deane then drilled a two-out base hit into left that was misplayed by the fielder, allowing Solodkin to score all the way from first base and leaving Deane on third as the potential tying run. Freshman right fielder Dan Carter's grounder was a tough play for the third baseman near the bag, and Deane was able to touch home on the play to level the score at 6-6.
USMMA's Reilly Cherry had a one-out infield single during the top of the 10th inning, and after a flyout, Solodkin caught pinch runner Jacob Kelly trying to steal second, ending the threat.
Sophomore second baseman Matt Ferrara opened the bottom of the 10th with a base hit into left field, and freshman designated hitter Evan Smith was able to get a two-strike bunt down for a successful sacrifice. Cuevas was hit by a pitch and freshman first baseman Jack Benson drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases for Solodkin. His line drive to right was a bit shallow, but the throw to the plate was off line as Ferrara tagged and scored for the game-winning run.
Carter finished 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Solodkin went 1-for-1 with a walk, RBI, run and sac fly, and DiGirolamo, Deane and Ferrara each contributed a pair of hits while combining for two RBI and two runs scored.
The Mariners used a double, wild pitch and RBI-single for a 1-0 lead in the second, then made it 4-0 in the fourth with three base hits and a triple.
A Carter single, balk, Christopher Liriano walk, wild pitch and Ferrara sac fly cut the margin to 4-1 during the home half of the fourth.
Merchant Marine stretched its lead to 5-1 in the sixth, taking advantage of a base hit, sac bunt and single up the middle.
Carter responded during the bottom of the sixth inning, sending a 3-1 pitch over the fence in left-center field for a 5-2 score.
USMMA added one more in the eighth, stringing together a leadoff error, sacrifice, groundout and run-scoring single to center.
Sophomore starter Jack DeFouw went 3.0 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out a pair of Mariners. Freshman Christian Smith tossed the next 3.0 innings and gave up four hits, a run and a walk while collecting two strikeouts. Junior Jeff Lomabrdi, Jr. surrendered one unearned run and three hits during 3.1 innings of work, and junior Doug Olcese recorded the final two outs to improve to 3-0.
Cherry went 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored for the Mariners. Junior John Kelly, Jr. was charged with five runs allowed (three earned) during 1.1 innings on the mound, allowing five hits and two walks while posting one strikeout in 1.1 innings (0-1).
William Paterson will take on Rutgers-Newark Thursday, April 12, at Jeff Albies Field at 3:30 p.m.
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