AUBURNDALE, FLA. – The William Paterson baseball team (8-4) brought the tying run to the plate during their final two at-bats, but the Pioneers fell short during a 10-8 decision against undefeated Roger Williams (6-0) March 15 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Hawks seized a 7-0 lead during the top of the first inning, hitting for the cycle as part of a five-hit, three-walk outburst.
- The Pioneers got two runs back during the home half of the frame, thanks to a leadoff base on balls by senior second baseman Colin Lombardo, a single to center by senior catcher Steve Yelin and a two-run hit down the right-field line by senior pitcher/designated hitter Dan Carter.
- Senior third baseman Chris Liriano opened the bottom of the second with a hit by pitch and Lombardo doubled, followed by a two-RBI double off the bat of graduate student first baseman Carson Weis.
- Senior center fielder Justin Grippo homered to left field, making it a 7-5 game after six innings.
- A bases-loaded walk, a run-scoring single and a sac fly added three more RWU runs in the eighth.
- Junior left fielder Elliott Hayward walked and Liriano was hit by a pitch before junior shortstop Jake Lutz laced a two-run triple down the right-field line. Grippo immediately followed with an RBI-single to shortstop, pulling WP to within two at 10-8. Lombardo's base hit put two runners aboard with one out, but a double play ended the home half of the eighth.
- A double play early in the ninth was followed by a Carter base hit, but a final strikeout ended the WP threat and the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Grippo finished 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI.
- Weis, Carter and Lutz each contributed two RBI.
- Carter was charged with seven runs allowed on five hits and three walks, striking out one during 0.1 inning as the starter (1-1).
- Senior Matt Lawler tossed 7.0 innings of relief, giving up three hits, three runs and five walks while registering seven strikeouts. Freshman Pat Pantoliano worked the final 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up one hit.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson takes on Western New England Wednesday, March 16, at 2:30 p.m. at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
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