After a 10 game losing streak, William Paterson Pioneers turned the tide with a win against No. 21 Montclair State Red Hawks, then followed it with a Saturday doubleheader sweep of New Jersey City University Gothic Knights, improving to 9-13 overall and 3-3 in the NJAC.
William Paterson ace Rob Nathan opened with two strikeouts before allowing a few hits that led to a run on a single by third baseman Jeremy Ricourt. The inning ended at the plate when first baseman Brandon Piacenza was tagged out by sophomore catcher Alex Gomez.
Junior shortstop Devin Daproza sparked the offense with a leadoff double, advancing to third and scoring on two consecutive outs. The Pioneers added on in the third when Dylan Santos doubled down the left field line, scoring sophomore center fielder Sean Lauterhahn.
William Paterson added another run before NJCU responded in the sixth. Senior catcher Nick Vaughn drove in two with a bloop single to center, then advanced to third on back to back steals and scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore designated hitter Shawn Kish.
JT DeRiso relieved Nathan and allowed one run on a single by freshman second baseman Daniel Kapsch.
The Pioneers answered in the sixth, beginning with a single by senior catcher Christian Peluso. Junior Avery Whitneyentered as a pinch runner and scored on a play involving Lauterhahn and a throwing error. Senior right fielder Jordan Brown reached on a single and moved to third. Daproza lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at five.
In the eighth, freshman first baseman Matt Caruso singled, then junior outfielder Stephen Kubis tripled to left, giving William Paterson a 6-5 lead. NJCU pulled senior pitcher Andre Dean after 8 2/3 innings. The Pioneers added another run on a fielder’s choice.
Senior Nick Durso earned the save, recording two strikeouts and a groundout to secure a 7-5 win in game one.
In game two, junior pitcher Jose Marte started strong with two strikeouts. Caruso singled to score Daproza and give the Pioneers an early lead. NJCU tied the game when sophomore designated hitter Colin Elam singled to right, scoring Ricourt.
The game remained tied until the fifth, when William Paterson broke it open. Santos hit a ground rule double to score Lauterhahn and later scored on a double by junior designated hitter Ty Kobylakiewicz. Kubis drove in Caruso with a sacrifice fly, and Kobylakiewicz later scored on a single by junior second baseman Angel Colon.
The Pioneers added more in the seventh when Gomez delivered a bases loaded single to extend the lead to 7-1.
William Paterson added two more runs late when freshman Peter Hammerle hit a ground rule double to make it an eight run game. Adding another run in the eighth, making it a 10-1 win.
Marte shut down the Gothic Knights the rest of the way, throwing a complete game with 104 pitches and nine strikeouts, including three straight to end the game.
The Pioneers return to action Tuesday, April 7, in a nonconference game against Drew University Rangers at Jeff Albies Field, followed by an NJAC matchup against Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders on Thursday, April 9.
