NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark's two-out rally in the seventh fell short in the opening game of a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader loss to William Paterson on Alumni Field. Game scores were 4-2 and 13-3.

BOX SCORES & PLAY-BY-PLAY
William Paterson 4, Rutgers-Newark 2
William Paterson 13, Rutgers-Newark 3

WPU pitchers Michele Graham and Kelsey Hand hurled a pair of five-hitters for the Pioneers (17-7, NJAC 7-3) against the Scarlet Raiders (7-19, NJAC 2-8). Racing an oncoming storm front with an early 11 a.m. start, the teams finished just as the rain and wind arrived.

IN GAME ONE, A solid single through the middle to lead off the Scarlet Raider fifth by freshman catcher Gabby Spinella broke up Graham's perfect game bid.

Spinella also singled to start the Raiders' seventh inning rally capped by a two-out two-run single through the middle by freshman pinch hitter Stacey Jacovinich.

Graham did not allow a base runner through the first four innings, finishing with five strikeouts and no walks to improve to 8-3 on the season.

Pioneer seniors Lindsey Nadolny, Jenna Vitale and Heather Mendez each went three for four to carry WPU's 11-hit attack.

IN GAME TWO, Hand was perfect through three innings of the five-inning contest, helping her own cause with a two-run homer to left centerfield to highlight a five-run first inning for the Pioneers.

Hand struck out four and walked no one and got plenty of offensive help as WPU scored a dozen runs in its first three innings at the plate.

Freshman shortstop Carrie Wan singled with one out in the fourth to break up Hand's perfect game bid. Sophomore Monica Liotto followed with an RBI double before back-to-back singles by Spinella and sophomore first baseman Monica Bagan made it 12-2.

The Raiders' other run came on a two-out triple by senior centerfielder Jessica Zelaya followed by an errant throw from the WPU outfield in the fifth.

Nadolny drove in three runs with a two-run triple in the three run second inning and an RBI bunt single in the four-run third inning. Vitale, freshman designated player Lauren Bogart and senior centerfielder Jillian Mulderig joined Nadolny with two hits apiece.

Rutgers-Newark visits Old Westbury at noon on Sunday for a non-conference twinbill while William Paterson is slated to host The College of New Jersey at 3 p.m. in an NJAC doubleheader on Tuesday.