AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Ripon nearly erased a 3-0 deficit Wednesday afternoon, but fell just short, losing 3-2 against William Paterson at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.

William Paterson (6-5) took the game's first lead in the third inning, scoring on a wild pitch with two outs. They would score again in the fifth and sixth on a pair of RBI singles to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth. Ripon (0-6) got on the board in the seventh, cutting the lead to one on a two-run single off the bat of Nick Taranto, but that's all the runs the Red Hawks could muster.

Ripon recorded seven hits on the day, with Taranto leading the way with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. Michael Barnes added two base knocks, while Keegan Johnston posted the other hit. Brice Swick (0-1) allowed two earned runs and struck out five, while walking none, in 6.1 innings of work. Brian Wilson and Ben Folger combined to pitch 2.2 innings of shutout ball in relief, allowing just two hits combined.

The Red Hawks will be in action again on Thursday when they'll face Salve Regina and Eastern Connecticut at 12:45 and 4:15 p.m. Central Time. Both games will be played at Lake Myrtle Park Field Eight in Auburndale, Fla.