WAYNE, N.J. – Senior left fielder Dan Carter's grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the William Paterson baseball team (24-12, 10-5 NJAC) a 10-9 victory against visiting Ramapo (14-20-1, 5-10 NJAC) April 28, securing a spot in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament in the process.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Roadrunners put three runs on the scoreboard during their first at-bat with a hit by pitch, two singles, a sacrifice fly and a two-run double.
- Ramapo added a solo homer in the fourth for a 4-0 lead.
- The Pioneers got one run back in the fifth thanks to a leadoff double down the right-field line by senior right fielder Vinnie Martin, a base hit to center by senior designated hitter Steve Yelin and an RBI-single to left by Carter.
- A leadoff home run made it a 5-1 Roadrunner advantage during the top of the sixth inning.
- WP crossed the plate twice during the home half of the sixth. Senior center fielder Justin Grippo led off with an infield single, then advanced to second via a balk. After a flyout, senior third baseman Colin Lombardo tripled into the left-field corner and Martin dropped an RBI-single into center for a 5-3 game.
- A pair of doubles produced one Roadrunner tally in the top of the seventh inning.
- The Pioneers pulled to within, 6-5, during the home half of the seventh. Graduate student first baseman Carson Weis started the inning with a double to left, followed by a flyout, a wind and sun-aided RBI-double to shallow center field off the bat of freshman shortstop Tom Radigan, and a Lombardo run-scoring triple to left.
- WP tied the game in the eighth, using a Yelin double, Carter groundout and bouncing single up the middle by senior catcher Dylan Habeeb.
- Ramapo answered with a three-run ninth, stringing together a single, error, two-run triple and wild pitch for a 9-6 lead.
- Lombardo drew a seven-pitch walk to start the home half of the ninth, Martin singled to right center and Yelin was issued a free pass, loading the bases. Carter launched a 2-1 pitch to right-center field for the walk-off grand slam.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Carter finished 3-for-6 with five RBI. Martin went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored, and Lombardo was 2-for-4 with a pair of triples, two RBI and two runs.
- Senior starter Riley Weis tossed the first 3.0 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits, striking out three.
- Junior Dan Castaneda allowed five hits and three runs, striking out two during his 3.2 innings. Freshman Neel Telidevara worked 1.2 innings and gave up three runs (one earned) and two hits with one punchout. Junior Darmany Rivas recorded two outs, one on strikes (1-1).
- With the victory, the Pioneers clinched a top-four seed for the NJAC Tournament. Three regular-season games remain before the top three seeds will host opening-round games Tuesday, May 3, of the six-team, double-elimination tourney.
UP NEXT:
- William Paterson plays at Ramapo Friday, April 29, at 3:30 p .m.
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