Box Score

UNION, NJ – Third seeded William Paterson University defeated the sixth seed Rowan University, 10-4 in an elimination game of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Saturday.

The double elimination tournament continues at Kean University on Sunday, May 3. Earlier on Saturday, second seeded Montclair State University knocked out the top seed Kean, 11-6. William Paterson (24-16) advances to the final round on Sunday and will play the fourth seed The College of New Jersey at noon. TCNJ topped Montclair State, 10-1 in ten innings in the third game on Saturday. Rowan finishes the season with a 21-15-1 record.

The game was tied 4-4 after seven innings. William Paterson erupted for six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, shortstop Anthony Dorio (fr. Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) hit a RBI single. Second baseman Miguel Lugo (jr. Jersey City, NJ/St. Mary’s) was intentionally walked to load the bases. Third baseman Will Courter (sr. Roseland, NJ/West Essex) and right fielder Mike Guadango (jr. Upper Saddle River, NJ/Northern Highland) ripped back-to-back two RBI ground-rule doubles. Center fielder Mike Moran’s (so. Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock Twp.) triple to right center field plated Guadango for the final run.

The Pioneers went ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Left fielder John Elia (sr. Emerson, NJ/Pascack Valley) knocked in Lugo with a double down the right field line. Rowan scored two runs in the third to go up, 2-1. Third baseman Brad Woodend (so. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) led off with a double and went to third on a bunt by shortstop Marc Magliaro (fr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.). Catcher Tom Reindel (sr. Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) walked to load the bases. Second baseman David Lenig (jr. Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville) was hit by a pitch, bringing home Woodend. Magliaro crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice with designated hitter Sam Parks (sr. Monroeville, NJ/Woodstown) at bat.

The Profs tacked on two runs in the top of the fourth. Woodend singled in center fielder Garrett Mull (sr. Chatsworth, NJ/Lenape) and left fielder Jordan Marsch (jr. Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) came in on a throwing error. In the bottom half, William Paterson scored two runs to cut the deficit to one (4-3). Catcher Don Hays (sr. Paramus, NJ/Paramus) and first baseman Frank Franco (so. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) both had a RBI single. The Pioneers tied the game at four in the fifth inning. Lugo led off with a double and he scored on a ground out by Elia.

Right-hander Steve Coral (fr. Totowa, NJ/Passaic Valley) pitched a complete game for the victory. Coral (6-1) allowed four runs on 10 hits. He recorded seven strikeouts. Righty Todd Burdette (so. Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) took the loss for Rowan. Burdette (1-2) gave up five runs in 0.1 innings of relief.

Courter went two for three with two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Guadango contributed with two hits (four at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Elia had one hit (four at bats), two RBIs, one run scored and a double. Moran and Hays posted two hits (four at bats), one RBI and one run scored apiece. Moran also had a triple. Lugo was two for four with three runs scored and a double.

For Rowan, Woodend finished the game with three hits (four at bats), one RBI, one run scored and two doubles. Marsch collected two hits (four at bats) and one run scored. Mull and Magliaro each had one hit and one run scored. First baseman Tom Ready (sr. Blackwood, NJ/Triton Reg.) registered two hits (four at bats).

The schedule for the NJAC Baseball Championship Tournament is below. Results and the updated schedule for the conference tournament will be available at rowanathletics.com and njacsports.com.

Tue., April 28 (at higher seeds)
Game 1 - #1 Kean University 3, #6 Rowan University 1
Game 2 - #2 Montclair State University 3, #5 Ramapo College 1
Game 3 - #4 The College of New Jersey 23, #3 William Paterson University 13

Thu., April 30 (at higher seeds)
Game 4 – #6 Rowan University 3, #5 Ramapo College 2 (Ramapo is eliminated.)
Game 5 – #3 William Paterson 8, #1 Kean University 2
Game 6 – #4 The College of New Jersey 11, #2 Montclair State University 2

Sat., May 2 (at Kean University)
Game 7 - #2 Montclair State 11, #1 Kean University 6 (Kean is eliminated.)
Game 8 –#3 William Paterson 10, #6 Rowan University 4 (Rowan is eliminated.)
Game 9 – #4 The College of NJ 10, #2 Montclair State 1 (10 inn.) (Montclair State is eliminated.)

Sun., May 3 (at Kean University)
Game 10 – #3 William Paterson (24-16) vs. #4 The College of New Jersey (23-16-1), noon
Game 11 – same as game 10 (if necessary), TBA