WAYNE, N.J. - The Rangers carried a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning, but William Paterson University scored four times in the bottom of the frame and defeated Drew 6-4 in a game shortened to six and a half innings due to darkness.

Freshman Matthew Kroll finished 3-for-4 with a double in his first collegiate start to lead Drew offensively.

Four Ranger pitchers held William Paterson to two runs over the first five innings before the Pioneers broke through.

Drew (2-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Seniors Anthony Tagliaferro and Brian Dagostino ripped back-to-back singles to start the inning, moved up on a passed ball, and scored on a two-run single from Kroll.

After the hosts scored a run in the third, the Rangers in the top of the fourth. Dagostino drew a walk and moved to third on a double from Kroll before scoring on a wild pitch. But the Pioneers pushed ahead with a run in the fourth followed by their four-run sixth to go up 6-3.

Drew rallied in the top of the seventh, loading the bases before an infield single from senior Bryan Reagle made it a two-run game. But William Paterson induced a flyout to end the game.

Senior Pete Violante started for the Rangers and threw a scoreless first before giving way to classmate Jeff Serin, who allowed just an unearned run over two innings. Sophomore Grant Purpura yielded one run in an inning of work before sophomore Teddy Hoxie came in fan the side in the fifth. Senior Vinny Carlesi (0-1) was handed the loss for the Rangers.

Drew continues its season March 1-7, when it plays six games in seven days during its Spring Break trip to Florida, starting with a match-up versus Kenyon this Sunday.