RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan Jaspers softball team (6-18, 2-4 MAAC), won the third and final game of its MAAC series against the Pioneers from Sacred Heart (9-17, 6-3 MAAC) by a final score of 4-3 at Gaelic Park on Sunday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With no hits in the top of the first, Natalye DeBus broke the ice with a two-out single in the opening frame.
- Three singles in the home half of the second off the bats of Kaitlyn Moody, Victoria Diaz, and Karissa Spring in that order loaded the bases with only one out for the Jaspers.
- Following a fielder's choice that got Moody out at home plate, Brianna Estevez blasted a bases-clearing three-RBI double off the fence in left center field to put three in the run column for the hosts.
- With a hard act to follow, Samantha Kelly knocked a two-bagger to the same spot, scoring Estevez and completing the four-spot in inning number two.
- Starter Karissa Spring kept the Pioneer bats at bay, holding them scoreless through the first four off of only three hits.
- In the fifth, a double and bases-loaded walk slashed the Green and White lead in half, followed by another RBI double in the top of the sixth.
- With only a one-run advantage headed into the seventh frame, a hit by pitch put the tying run on the basepaths with only one out. A fielder's choice and flyout gave the crowd a sigh of relief, as the Jaspers secured their second conference win of 2026.
STATS AND NOTES
- Sophomore utility player Brianna Estevez lit up the stat sheet on the afternoon, with her three RBI leading the way.
- Freshman catcher Kendall Penny joined infielder Samantha Kelly as the lone Jaspers with two hits on the afternoon.
- Junior pitcher Karissa Spring controlled the first four innings for the Green and White, allowing two earned runs off of five hits.
- Freshman utility player Natalye DeBus entered in relief for the final two frames, tallying her first save of the season.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan will continue its 2026 campaign on Tuesday, March 24, when they hit the road once more against the Peacocks from Saint Peter's in a MAAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM from Jaroschak Field, broadcasted live on the Peacocks Digital Network.
Follow Manhattan Softball on X (@JaspersSoftball) and Instagram (@jasperssoftball).
