JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Senior left-handed pitcher Ashley Latushko (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) hit her second home run of the season in game two but William Paterson University swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference softball doubleheader from New Jersey City University, 12-1 (five innings) and 9-1 (6 innings) on April 14 at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
 
The Pioneers improve to 18-9-1 and 7-5 in the NJAC, collecting a combined 28 hits and nine extra-base knocks in the two games, including two homers. NJCU (2-22, 0-12 NJAC) had three hits in each game.
 
GAME 1: William Paterson 12, NJCU 1 (5 innings)
The first four batters in the WP lineup had multiple hits as the Pioneers scored five times in the second inning, four in the fourth and three more in the fifth to enforce the eight-run rule.
 
Sophomore right fielder Nicole Fryer (East Stroudsburg, PA) was 2-for-2 with a run and RBI in the leadoff spot before sophomore Salina Pellios (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) assumed that role in the lineup and added a 2-for-2 showing with two runs and a solo homer.
 
Senior center fielder Kelsey Principe (Parsippany, NJ/Parsippany) was 2-for-3 with two runs and sophomore shortstop Rachel Wasilak (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) batted 3-for-3 with two runs, a walk and RBU. Senior catcher Lachelle Rouse (Pine Hill, NJ/Overbrook Senior) collected a pair of doubles and was 2-for-4 with two runs in the cleanup spot. Freshman third baseman Sam Rothenberger (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) chipped in an RBI triple.
 
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Meghin Stanton (Chesterfield, NJ/Northern Burlington Regional) was the winner (2-0). In 5.0 innings, she allowed one run, scattered three singles and struck out two (one walk). Sophomore right-handed pitcher Brittany Paulikas (Fords, NJ/JFK-Iselin) lost for the Gothic Knights (2-11). She also scored NJCU's lone run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by sophomore catcher Jazz Randall (Parsippany, NJ/West Orange).
 
GAME 2: William Paterson 9, NJCU 1 (6 innings)
A five-run fifth inning was the difference as the Pioneers outhit NJCU 13-3 in game two. Junior left fielder Kelsey Wimmershoff (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) hit a grand slam in the frame and finished the day 3-for-3 with six RBIs and two runs scored. It was her third homer of the season.
 
Latushko, who took the loss, hit her second career homer in the fourth to account for NJCU's lone run. Sophomore designated player Deseree Johnson (Red Bank, NJ/Monmouth Regional) was NJCU's only batter with a hit in each game of the doubleheader.
 
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Gabrielle Castelli (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) was the winner (8-4), striking out seven without issuing a walk in 6.0 innings against a run and three hits. At the plate, she scored twice, and was 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and walk.
 
WP also had a 2-for-4 showing from Wasilak who batted 5-for-7 in the twinbill. Freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Poretti (Florence, NJ/Florence Memorial) was 2-for-4.
 
OF NOTE:

• William Paterson leads the all-time series, 37-2, and has won the last 14 meetings since 2008.

 
WHAT'S NEXT:
NJCU will makeup a March 19 postponement on Friday, April 17 when it meets Yeshiva University in a non-conference home doubleheader with an early first pitch of 11 a.m.