Wayne, N.J. (4/3/15) – The William Paterson University baseball team scored five runs in their first at-bat on their way to topping Kean University by the final of 9-3 on Friday.
Junior Victor Sanchez was 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBI and a pair of runs scored as William Paterson improved to 13-5 (1-3 NJAC). The loss breaks a nine game win streak for Kean who fell to 18-5 and 3-1 NJAC.
The Pioneers wasted no time, crossing the plate five times during their first at-bat. Graduate student AJ Flores drew a one-out walk, junior K.C. Abel singled to right and junior Jimmy Kenny was issued a base on balls to load it up for Sanchez, who drilled a three-run triple to right-center field. Following a groundout, freshman Jordan Aughey put a perfect bunt down the third-base line, an infield single that plated Sanchez. Aughey then stole second and advanced to third when the throw down found its way into center field, and sophomore catcher Mike Knauf followed with an RBI-single to left center.
The #5 Cougars got two of those runs back during the top half of the fourth inning. Junior first baseman Sal Taormina singled and freshman third baseman Matt Krupa doubled him in, followed by a wild pitch and an RBI-groundout by junior right fielder Ryan Kelley.
An Anthony Fischetti leadoff triple and a Chris Amato groundout to short made it a 5-3 score in the fifth. But, WP took advantage of a two-out error and a double to the left-center gap by junior Tyler Garguilo to score once during the home half of the same frame.
William Paterson opened up the game with a three-run sixth inning. Flores put a one-out single through the hole on the right side of the infield, and Abel followed with a base hit through the left side. After a flyout, Sanchez walked to load the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Flores to scamper home. Freshman Jacob Bailey then dropped a base hit into left field, bringing in two more runs and making it a 9-3 contest.
Abel went 3-for-5 and scored twice, while Knauf finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Senior starter Tom Gaccione improved to 3-1, allowing six hits and three runs over five innings with one strikeout.
Eight different Cougars accounted for Kean's eight hits. Starter Dan Hansen took the loss (0-1), giving up five hits and five runs, four earned, and striking out three while walking two during 1.2 innings on the mound.
Kean returns to NJAC action on Saturday when they host Montclair State University at 11:30 a.m. for a twinbill.
