NORFOLK, VA – The Manhattan Jaspers Baseball team (2-3) rolled against the Spartans of Norfolk State (1-3) in the first of four games by a score of 16-10 inside Marty L. Miller Field on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The opening contest was delayed by 2 hours due to field conditions after heavy precipitation hit the Norfolk area.
- This did not affect the Jaspers as Andreaus Lewis opened things in the top of the fourth inning with a lead-off double to left-center. Two batters later, Justin Best roped a line drive into center to drive home Lewis.
- Then, Ryan Lordier doubled to right field to drive home Best and Colin Basehore, who had initially singled three batters earlier, to give the Green and White a three-run cushion over the Spartans.
- After Norfolk State brought its deficit to two, the Jaspers responded with a seven-run outburst in the fifth inning, with the Green and White capitalizing on Spartan errors. Four batters later, Jackson Brinker brought home the eighth run with a triple down the right-field line to score Lordier.
- With a seven-run lead, Vincent Samuel continued right where he left off at Old Dominion, with a single through the right side to drive home another two runs.
- The Spartans put together a six-run home half of the fifth to cut the Jasper lead to just three, before Samuel logged another RBI to drive home Dylan Mayer and Josiah Brown.
- In the visiting half of the eighth inning, Manhattan added another four runs with Mayer driving home Lordier and Jeremy Sosa, before Lewis logged his second double of the day to post its second seven-run lead of the game.
- The Jaspers finished off the Spartans' comeback attempt with another base-knock to the infield that brought home Danny Infante for the team's 16th run.
STATS AND NOTES
- Infielder Ryan Lordier logged four RBIs during a 3-for-6 afternoon, while crossing the plate twice. Lordier also posted a double and a stolen base in the #8 hole.
- Outfielder Justin Best added three hits on five at-bats, crossed the plate twice, and logged one RBI with a double in the designated hitter role this afternoon.
- Infielder Vincent Samuel continued his powerful week with another three hits and three RBIs in six at-bats, while swiping one base in the three hole.
- Catcher Andreaus Lewis also logged two doubles and two RBIs, while crossing the plate once.
- Infielder Josiah Brown crossed the plate three times and earned three walks.
- Outfielder Dylan Mayer came into pinch-hit for Carson Vance after the latter registered two at-bats and put together a 2-for-3 day with a pair of RBIs and a walk.
- Pitcher Connor Throneberry logged his first victory of his Jasper career by fanning seven in 4.1 innings of work, while surrendering four hits and four walks.
- Pitcher Chris Fidanza logged three punchouts in two innings of work in relief.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS
Head Coach Steven Rosen: "I was really proud of the way our guys competed tonight. Scoring 16 runs on the road says a lot about the quality of our at-bats and the depth of our lineup. We took a few punches back, but we responded each time. That resilience is something we're preaching a lot of and continuing to build as a program. We have a bunch of guys really focused on just going 1-0 each day right now."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers return action tomorrow, Saturday, February 21, for a doubleheader against the Spartans of Norfolk State University beginning at 12 p.m. The second game is slated to begin at 3 p.m., inside Marty L. Miller Field.
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