Union, NJ: The #3 seeded William Paterson University baseball team knocked off #6 seeded Ramapo College, 11-5, to advance to the NJAC Championship game tomorrow afternoon. The Pioneers (29-13) will face #4 Kean University at 3:30pm. The Roadrunners now stand at 17-24-1 on the year.
WPU led 2-0 after the first inning before they added two runs in the third on a two-run home run from Dan Carter, 4-0. The Roadrunners got on the board in the third inning when
Christian Alonso knocked in
Joe Wisniewski with an RBI single, 1-4. The Pioneers added one in the fourth before Carter hit a solo home run in the fifth to extend the lead, 6-1. Ramapo would come within two of tying the game in the fifth inning as they plated three runs.
Tyler Guadagno laced an RBI double down the left field line which allowed
TJ Roman to score.
Justin Garthaffner ripped a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield which plated two runs, 4-6.
In the sixth, WPU would extend their lead once again with five runs, 11-4, as the inning was highlighted by a three-run home run from Carter. Guadagano would plate Ramapo's final run in the eighth inning with an RBI single to left-center field as Alonso scored. WPU held the Roadrunners in the bottom of the ninth to hold onto the 11-5 win and advance to the NJAC Championship game.
Riley Weis (4-1) struck out five, walked three and scattered seven hits while surrendering four runs in six complete innings for WPU. Dan Castaneda worked a three-inning save and let up just two hits and one run scored. Carter led the way at the plate for the Pioneers with seven RBI as he finished 4-5 with three runs scored.
Dominick Ciani (1-3) took the loss on the mound for Ramapo as he struck out two and let up eight hits and six runs (five earned) in five innings of work.
John Higgins worked the final four innings with four strikeouts while he surrendered four hits and five runs (three earned).
Ramapo returns to action on Saturday, May 14th as they host NYU in a non-conference matchup to wrap up the 2022 season.
