The William Paterson Pioneers split a doubleheader against John Jay on Tuesday, March 24, earning a 10-5 victory in Game One before falling 9-7 in Game Two.
William Paterson entered the twin bill looking to rebound after a 3-6 spring break trip in Florida, during which it was outscored 59-39.
In the opener, John Jay jumped out early, plating a run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning before adding four more in the second to take a 5-0 lead.
The Pioneers answered emphatically in the bottom of the second, erupting for seven runs to seize control. A series of bases-loaded walks by Samantha Campos, Gabriella Vasquez and Stephanie Ciravolo trimmed the deficit before Brandi Shortway reached on an error to drive in another run. Hailey Backo followed with a bases-loaded walk to tie the game, and Aubrey Miller capped the rally with a two-run single to give William Paterson a 7-5 advantage.
After two scoreless frames, the Pioneers added insurance in the fifth when Ciravolo singled up the middle to score Campos. William Paterson extended the lead in the sixth on an RBI double by Megan Tinger and an error that allowed another run to score.
Miller tossed a complete game in the circle, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out five. After surrendering five runs over the first two innings, the sophomore shut down John Jay over the final five frames. She also contributed offensively with two hits, a walk and two RBIs.
In Game Two, John Jay again struck first, scoring four runs in the opening inning on a pair of RBI singles.
Photo Courtesy: WPU Athletics
William Paterson responded in the bottom half, as Tinger delivered an RBI infield single, Lilah Guthy added a run-scoring hit, and Katie Inglis drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The game remained quiet until the fourth inning, when Backo launched a three-run home run, to give the Pioneers a 6-4 lead, giving her the NJAC lead in RBI’s.
John Jay answered in the fifth, tying the game with a two-run homer before reclaiming the lead with an RBI single and capitalizing on a throwing error to score two more runs, making it 9-6.
William Paterson mounted a late push in the seventh, highlighted by an RBI single from Backo, but the rally fell short as the Pioneers dropped the nightcap, 9-7.
Lilah Guthy took the loss in Game Two, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. Kylie Anthony provided effective relief, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout and no walks.
The Pioneers will open NJAC play against Stockton University on Saturday, March 28 against
who currently house the best record in the conference at 11-1.
