After a storybook victory in the split against Ramapo College in the doubleheader on Tuesday, April 14, the William Paterson Pioneers moved to just one game below .500 in a sweep over University of Mt. St. Vincent in 15-4 and 12-4 victories.
Senior pitcher Lilah Guthy set the tone early, striking out two batters, before the Pioneers unraveled seven runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. The Pioneers loaded the bases in their first three plate appearances, as junior Megan Tinger singled to left field moving all the batters.
After a series of walks, infield singles, and fielders choices, the Pioneers jumped out to a valiant lead, going fully around the order.
A double by Tinger moved senior shortstop Hailey Backo home to score an insurance run in the bottom of the second, moving the deficit to eight.
The Dolphins rattled off four straight runs in the top of the third inning, freshman center fielder Carmen Henderson tripled with an RBI, kicking off the Dolphins tallies, rattling off a short run.
That did it for the Dolphins scoring in game one, as the Pioneers executed seven more runs in the bottom of the third inning. A single from Backo scored two batters putting the Pioneers in double digits, later moving to a 15-4 lead at the end of the inning.
With momentum for the Dolphins after a four run inning, senior reliever Kylie Anthony came into the game for the Pioneers only allowing two hits and striking out a batter, facing nine, giving the Pioneers the win in game one in five innings.
In game two, Backo kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first doubling into left field scoring senior outfielder Brandi Shortway, but it was the Dolphins who jumped ahead first.
A single from freshman centerfielder Zoe Fields scored fellow classmate third baseman Kailyn Trigos to tie it at one, and after Henderson was hit from a pitch from sophomore Aubrey Miller, runners advanced and another bases loaded walk made it 3-1.
In the bottom of the second, Shortway tripled to right field, scoring sophomore right fielder Kelsey Guerts, next at bat freshman second baseman Gianna Capone tripled to left field tying the game, before Capone advanced home on a wild pitch making it 4-3.
Despite the Dolphins scoring a run in the top of the fourth, the Pioneers continued to pour it on, scoring two in the third, one in the fourth, and five in the fifth, before calling the game after a RBI double from sophomore pinch hitter Courtney DiPrenda, which moved Miller home.
“I was really excited to have an opportunity, even though pinch hitting could be tough, I’m getting my opportunity there’s no pressure, I want to make the most of it. Let me get it to the green, let me score my teammate from second,” mentioned DiPrenda on a ball that went to the warning track.
Shortway finished the doubleheader with seven hits, and five RBIs, Tinger had four hits and four RBIs, and Backo brought three runners home, bringing her total to 39 this season, second in the NJAC.
On the bump, Guthy allowed five hits, struck out three, and walked one. Miller gave up three hits, walked two, and struck out four.
The Pioneers will continue conference play as they face Rowan University on Saturday, April 18, in Glassboro, N.J., at 1 p.m. who are regarded as a top 25 program in the country and are tied with Stockton University for first place in the NJAC.
“We just have to hold each other accountable. Be there for each other,” mentions Shortway going into the upcoming matchup as the Pioneers are still on the outside looking in for a playoff berth.
