LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Manhattan Jaspers baseball team (14-22, 7-14 MAAC) split the doubleheader against the Broncs of Rider University (22-13, 16-5 MAAC) by a score of 6-4 and 13-9 from Sonny Pittaro Field on Saturday afternoon.
GAME ONE
- To open the third inning for the Green and White, Jeremy Sosa worked a full count walk before Ryan Lordier moved the outfielder to third on a base knock to center.
- Then, Guriyandel Salva ripped a base hit to center and scored Sosa as the icebreaker in the middle game of the three-game series.
- After the Broncs tied the game at one, the Jaspers put together a four-run top of the sixth after Hunter worked a walk to open the inning, before Vincent Samuel sent an infield single to second base.
- Continuing along in the sixth, the Jaspers took the lead off Andreaus Lewis's full count RBI single to right field and scored Sute from third. Then, Justin Best added the insurance marker with a sacrifice fly to left and brought home Samuel from third.
- Two batters later, Trevor Hansen hit his eighth home run of the season to left, which widened the Jaspers' advantage to four.
- In the ninth inning with Rider threatening and only trailing by one, the Jaspers were able to put the finishing touches on game one, with a much-needed double from Sute to drive home Lordier from second.
- The Jaspers shut the door with Garrett Theile entering the game and tossing just three pitches by forcing two Broncs to pop out in foul ground, and grounding into a double play.
GAME TWO
- After surrendering six runs in the first two innings, the Jaspers responded valiantly in the third, with a five-spot, highlighted by Hunter Sute's three-run home run to right field.
- With the bases remaining loaded, Trevor Hansen worked a four-pitch walk and brought home Vincent Samuel to crunch the Riders' lead to just two.
- The Jaspers took advantage of a Broncs pitching miscue, where Andreaus Lewis crossed the plate on a wild pitch and scored the team's fifth run of the final game.
- In the top of the eighth inning, the Jaspers were trailing by as much as three, before Ryan Lordier singled to right field and brought home Dylan Mayer from second.
- Another Rider wild pitch allowed both runners to advance a base, and included Jeremy Sosa crossing the plate for the team's seventh run, and brought its deficit back to one.
- The Jaspers found their second tie of the third game with Salva singling to left field, and scoring Ryan Lordier from second to knot the game at eight.
- In the home half, the Broncs went ahead on a sacrifice fly, before the Jaspers tied the game for a third time off Lewis's solo home run to deep left field. Then, the Broncs ended the game on a walk-off home run in the home half of the ninth.
STATS AND NOTES
- In game one, starting pitcher Hudson Pergamit tossed a near gem, fanning six Broncs at the plate, while surrendering two walks, and eight hits in 5.2 innings of work in 97 total pitches.
- Relief pitcher Chris Fidanza logged his second victory of the year with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work, faced 11 batters, and tossed 40 pitches.
- Catcher Hunter Sute combined for a 3-for-8 afternoon, crossing the plate twice, and marking four RBIs, two walks, and a home run.
- Infielder Guriyandel Salva posted a 3-for-10 afternoon, crossed the plate once, and sent two RBI to the scoresheet. Salva also logged one stolen base.
- Infielder Trevor Hansen logged his eighth home run in a 1-for-4 morning, which saw two RBIs and a strikeout.
- Catcher Andreaus Lewis went 6-for-9 from the dish, with the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of game three. In the opening game, Lewis hit a double and swiped one base.
- Outfielder Justin Best added a 3-for-4 marker with one walk and a stolen base to his ledger.
- Infielder Vincent Samuel posted a 2-for-4 afternoon, crossed the plate once, and worked a walk. Along the base path, Samuel was caught stealing.
- Infielder Ryan Lordier posted a 3-for-5 day in the opening game of the doubleheader, while adding a run to the board in the victory.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS
Head Coach Steven Rosen: "Despite the loss in game two, I'm really proud of the fight and effort today. We didn't quit; we threw punches all day and put ourselves in a position to sweep a doubleheader. There's no quit in this team."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers return to North Philadelphia for the first time in eight years as the Green and White visit former Jasper Head Coach Dave Miller and the Explorers of La Salle University, on Tuesday, April 21, from Hank DeVincent Field, beginning at 3 p.m. The contest can be viewed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
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