AUBURNDALE, FLA. – William Paterson scored two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and the Pioneers defeated nationally 20th-ranked Cortland, 5-3, in a non-league contest. William Paterson improves to 5-4-1 and the Red Dragons are now 7-4.

Cortland tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Senior Steve Nickel (Lake Ronkonkoma/Sachem North) was hit by a pitch with one out and senior Adam Dimino (Honeoye Falls/Honeoye Falls-Lima) tripled to left center to drive him in. Senior Kevin Jackson (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) followed with a game-tying RBI single to left.

William Paterson's leadoff hitter Anthony Dorio reached on an error to start the ninth and was bunted to second by Miguel Lugo. Following a strikeout, Mike Guadango was intentionally walked. Frank Franco and Rob Somers proceeded to hit back-to-back RBI singles to give the Pioneers a two-run lead. Jacob Baron, who entered the game in the eighth, retired Cortland in order in the ninth to secure his first victory of the season.

Cortland led 1-0 in the first when Matt June (Colonie) walked, went to third on a wild pickoff throw and scored on a Matt Wild (Auburn) RBI groundout to short. William Paterson tied the game in the second with a two-out rally. Andrue Laguerre singled with two outs, Jack Montanile reached on an error and Vin Fondacaro hit an RBI single through the right side.

The Pioneers took a 3-1 lead in the sixth. Somers and Laguerre each singled with one out. Montanile then hit a ball to third, but the throw to second was off the mark and Somers scored. Fondacaro hit into a fielder's choice, with Montanile forced out at second. The throw to first for a possible inning-ending double play, however, was late, and Laguerre continued around third and was able to score.

Somers and Laguerre each went 3-for-5 and Mike Moran was 2-for-5 to account for eight of William Paterson's 11 hits. Steve Coral allowed seven hits and three runs, two earned, in seven and a third innings for the no decision. Baron gave up just one hit, the Jackson RBI single, over the five batters he faced.

Jason Simone (Utica/Thomas R. Proctor) went 3-for-4 and Dimino finished 2-for-3 with a walk for Cortland. Kris Gentzke (Clarence Center/Clarence) started for the Red Dragons and gave up seven hits and three unearned runs over seven and a third innings. He struck out eight and walked one. Brandon DeRosa (Fairport) allowed three hits and two unearned runs over the final one and two-third innings and was pinned with the loss.

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