GROVELAND, Fla. – The William Paterson University baseball team scored runs in each of the first five innings in defeating Rensselaer Polytechnic (RPI), 11-5, on Friday afternoon at South Lake High School. With the win, the Pioneers improve to 6-5-1, while the Engineers drop to 5-9.

Mike Abate led the way offensively for the Pioneers, going 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs scored and four runs batted in. Matt Ferrara went 4 for 5 with two runs and four RBI.

Sean Welling and Ethann Meister each went 2 for 3, while Jason Ramos was 1 for 3 with two RBI for Rensselaer.

William Paterson built a 4-0 lead after three innings, chasing RPI starter Brendan McNerney from the game after just 2.2 innings.

After the Pioneers scored two runs in the top of the fourth, the Engineers got on the board in the bottom half, when Ramos roped a double to center, scoring Weston Hawkins from first.

RPI got two more in the seven to draw within 8-4. Yahriel Jimenez delivered a pinch hit RBI-double, before Justin Valente lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center.

Ferrara and Abate combined to drive in three run in the top of the eighth to push the lead to 11-4.

A string of RPI pinch hitters in the bottom of the ninth scratched a run across, as Michael Arboleda drove in Nick Busby with a single through the right side of the inning.

Corey Martinez (3-0) earned the win for the Pioneers, allowing four runs (2 earned) on seven hits in 6.0 innings. He struck out five and walked two.

The Engineers are back in action next weekend, when they host St. Lawrence for a four-game series, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday (1pm). William Paterson takes on UMass Dartmouth tomorrow (9:30am).