WAYNE, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | William Paterson University used two big innings in each game to sweep a New Jersey Athletic Conference softball doubleheader from New Jersey City University, 11-0 (five innings) and 11-1 (five innings) on April 19 at the Pioneer Softball Field.
 
William Paterson improved to 24-6 and 8-4 in the NJAC, moving into a second place tie. NJCU falls to 11-19 (0-12 NJAC, lost 14).
 
Game 1: William Paterson University 11, New Jersey City University 0 (5 Innings)
The Pioneers scored six runs in the first inning and four more in the fourth and limited NJCU to three hits. The Knights were shutout for the fifth time this year.
 
Allison Podmajersky improved to 16-2 on the season, allowing three hits in 4.0 innings. She struck out three and walked one. Gabrielle Castelli had three strikeouts in one inning of relief.
 
Second baseman Kaitlyn Poretti and designated player Salina Pellios were each 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs while shortstop Rachel Wasilak and center fielder Eleni Lutas both were 1-for-2 with two RBIs. WP tallied 11 hits and all 11 runs were earned. The six-run first came with just nine batters coming to the plate.
 
Senior Thalia Garcia (Ridgefield, N.J./North Bergen) had a double, going 1-for-2 for NJCU. Senior righty Jayla Lee Vega (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) took the loss (6-8).
 
Game 2: William Paterson University 11, New Jersey City University 1 (5 Innings)
The Pioneers led 1-0 through two innings before producing two more big innings—six runs in the third and four more in the fourth—to win in five innings. The Pioneers had 11 batters come to the plate in the third inning.  
 
Pellios capped a four RBI afternoon, driving in two more runs and scoring twice (1-for-2). Poretti also had a combined four RBIs on the day, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Lutas scored three times, batting 3-for-3 with one RBI.
 
Wasilak was 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Right fielder Nicole Fryer and third baseman Karley Jo Greulich knocked in two runs each.
 
Castelli threw a complete game victory (8-4), allowing one run on three hits in 5.0 innings, striking out four (one walk).
 
Garcia drove in NJCU's lone run in the top of the fifth. NJCU freshman righty Christina Mezey (Jersey City, N.J./Saint Dominic Academy) fell to 5-10 with the loss.
 
#KnightNotes:

• All-Time Series with William Paterson: The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 39-2, and have won the last 16 meetings since 2008.

 
What's Next?:
NJCU will play a non-conference home softball doubleheader with Drew University on Thursday, April 21 at 3 p.m. at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. Drew leads the all-time series, 16-2 since the first meeting in 2001, and has won the last 16 meetings.