WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (4-13), went 1-1 in its two games against the Chargers from New Haven, by the final scores of 5-6 and 6-5 at New Haven Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon.
GAME ONE: Manhattan 5, New Haven 6
- Two bases loaded walks drawn by Samantha Kelly in back-to-back innings put the Jaspers on top by two early in the second frame.
- Natalye DeBus followed with a sacrifice fly to score Isabella Coulman and increase the run column to three.
- New Haven fired back in the next three consecutive innings, slashing the deficit to one by the end of the third, and a groundout RBI knotting up the contest at three-all.
- Trueman of the Chargers singled to center field with a runner on third, giving the hosts their first lead of the day.
- In the top half of the sixth, a wild pitch to Coulman allowed Jamie Falotico to score from third and tie the game back up.
- As Lainey Brown got to third base immediately following a fielding error in the seventh, a fielder's choice from Kaitlyn Moody allowed the Jaspers to retake the advantage at 5-4 heading into the bottom half.
- Two singles put runners on first and second with two outs, as DeBus, who had come in relief, retired two of her first four batters.
- Trueman came back with a double down the right field line, scoring both runners and ending the matinee.
GAME TWO: Manhattan 6, New Haven 5
- Similar to the earlier session, Manhattan put runs on the board right away, as a Sophia Kiseloski single scored Brianna Estevez to break the ice in the first frame.
- New Haven exploded in the second frame, as a tying single from Bella Chenet started it off.
- After another single from Bri Pellicone with the bases loaded, an error in the outfield brought her all the way to third, scoring all of the other runners before Pellicone was gunned down at home plate to prevent an inside-the-park round tripper.
- DeBus showed her versatility in the fifth, as after quieting the Charger bats for the last two innings, she launched a ball over the left field fence to score Kelly and bring the margin down to one in favor of the hosts.
- The fifth became to the Jaspers what the second was to New Haven, as a Brown double and Falotico single changed the game from trailing to winning in the span of four batters.
- Estevez forced another bases-loaded walk to add some insurance to their lead.
- That final run became important, as an RBI groundout in the home half became the last score, with the Green and White securing the split with a 6-5 final score.
STATS AND NOTES
- Freshman utility player Natalye DeBus showed the range of her talents on Wednesday, tallying three RBI while pitching in both games, going the distance in the nightcap for her first win of the season.
- Senior utility player Sophia Kiseloski and infielder Jamie Falotico tied for the team lead in hits with four on the day.
- DeBus had the most impressive showing in game one as well, allowing two earned runs on three hits while fanning one.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan will continue its 2026 campaign this Saturday, March 14, when they travel to New Jersey to take on the Broncs from Rider to open up conference play. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM from Herb and Joan Young Field, broadcasted live on BroncVision.
Follow Manhattan Softball on X (@JaspersSoftball) and Instagram (@jasperssoftball).
