WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson baseball team (22-12, 8-7 NJAC) saw its Senior Day spoiled by No. 9/9 The College of New Jersey (25-6, 12-3 NJAC), 7-1, April 26.
With three regular-season games remaining, WP is tied for fifth place in the league standings. The top six teams will qualify for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament.
Graduate student first baseman Anthony Hoagland opened the bottom of the third inning by sending a triple off the center-field fence, and senior catcher Jorge Solodkin promptly followed with an RBI-groundout to the second baseman, handing the Pioneers an early 1-0 edge.
The Lions jumped ahead by a 2-1 count in the sixth when sophomore center fielder Thomas Persichetti sent a tailing line drive into the right-center gap for a triple, senior third baseman Austin Lindsay's single dropped in front of a diving Dan Carter in right field to plate Persichetti, and junior first baseman Tommy McCarthy later found the hole on the right side of the infield with a ground ball for a run-scoring base hit.
TCNJ opened things up in the eighth with four singles, three errors, a walk and a sacrifice fly for five runs and a 7-1 advantage.
Hoagland finished 2-for-3 with a triple and run scored.
Junior starter Corey Martinez allowed 10 hits and two runs over his 7.0 innings of work, striking out four and walking one (5-3). Senior Adam Miller surrendered four runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk, while sophomore Zac Polzer was charged with one unearned run and a hit. Senior Bryan Kopko pitched the final 2.0 shutout innings, giving up a hit while registering a punchout.
McCarthy and Persichetti each tallied three hits for the Lions. TCNJ junior Michael Fischer tossed the complete game to improve to 4-3, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven.
Prior to the game, WP honored seniors Hoagland, Kopko, Miller and Solodkin.
William Paterson will go to No. 9/9 The College of New Jersey Friday, April 27, for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
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