Montclair, NJ – William Paterson University scored five times in its first at bat and used that big first inning for a 9-2 victory over Montclair State at Jeff Albies Field on Thursday afternoon.

Shane Adams was 3-for-5 with four RBI for the Pioneers (22-13, 7-8 NJAC), who took the first game of the home and home series between the two local rivals. The two are scheduled to meet again on Friday, April 26 at Yogi Berra Stadium with first pitch set for 3:30 pm.

Senior NICK MARTINEZ drove both runs for the Red Hawks (11-23, 2-13 NJAC).

Matt Ferrara got WPU on the board with RBI double before a two-run double by Adams made the score 3-0. Carlos Perez then blasted a two-run homer as the Pioneers stretched the lead to 5-0. Adams delivered again in the second with a two-run single and a solo homer by Dan Carter in the fourth increased the lead to 8-0. Frankie Deane plated the final Pioneers run in the fifth with a run-scoring single.

That was more than enough for WPU hurler Corey Martinez (6-0), who went the first six innings allowing five hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Freshman lefthander JONATHAN ANDERSON (2-5) took the loss for MSU. Reliever TYLER HIGGINS pitched four scoreless innings, fanning two and walking one.

Montclair State would get on the board in the ninth. JASON MOORE and CHRISTOPHER WALKER drew free passes with two outs. Martinez brought both home with a double up the gap in left-center.