“We needed to find out what guys were capable of doing well and what guys needed to improve on,” Coach Lauterhahn said.
The Pioneers returned from the Central Florida Invitational with a 1-6 record, earning their lone win in a 13-9 victory against the University of Hartford on March 15. Senior shortstop Dylan Santos, junior first baseman Ty Kobelakiewicz and freshman outfielder Matt Caruso led the way offensively. Santos and Kobelakiewicz each went 3 for 6 at the plate, combining for five RBIs, while Caruso finished 2 for 2 with three RBIs.
Freshman JT Pugliese earned the win, allowing two hits, while striking out two.
William Paterson dropped its remaining games to Clarkson University, Coe College, Bowdoin College and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse.
Despite the results, the Pioneers remained competitive throughout the trip.
“This is going to sound very strange, but I am more satisfied with where we are right now at 1-6 on the trip than I was a year ago going 6-1,” Lauterhahn said.
Junior Devin Daprova reached base in six of seven games, collecting 14 hits, all singles, and scoring seven runs during that span.
Sophomore Jesse Bash, a transfer from Stony Brook, delivered a key two run single that gave the Pioneers the lead against Clarkson. However, Clarkson responded with two run singles from Joe Figiliolino and David Harris to secure a 10-8 win on March 16.
Santos also had a strong showing before suffering a knee injury during a play in the hole. In five games, he hit a three run home run and drove in seven RBIs against Coe College on March 17. He was sidelined for the remainder of the trip as a precaution ahead of conference play.
Last season, the Pioneers entered NJAC play with a 14-4 record but went 3-15 in conference games, missing the playoffs. In 2022, William Paterson went 2-5 at the RussMatt Central Invitational before rebounding to win the NJAC championship.
“The whole purpose of the trip is to find out what our strengths are, what our weaknesses are, how we fix them and get ourselves prepared,” Lauterhahn said.
The Pioneers will open conference play with a doubleheader against reigning NJAC champion Rutgers Camden on Sunday, March 29, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
