Riverdale, N.Y. (March 26, 2007)- Freshman Tom Costigan allowed just one run over eight strong innings, and sophomore Ruben Perez belted a bases-clearing double in the second, as Manhattan completed its MAAC opening series sweep of Canisius College this afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park. The Jaspers improve to 7-10, 3-0 MAAC in sweeping their opening MAAC series for the second straight year.
After a scoreless first, Manhattan plated four runs on four hits in the bottom of the second. Matt Rizzotti started things off with a line single to center. Nick Derba was up next, and bunted for a single to put runners on first and second. Dom Lombardi continued to put pressure on the Canisius pitcher, bunting in the ensuing at bat for another infield single to load the bases for Perez. Perez ripped the ball over the third base bag and into the corner to clear the bases and provide Costigan and the Jaspers with a 3-0 lead. After Nunzio Franzese sacrificed Perez to third, Rene Ruiz brought him home with a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-0.
Canisius would score its only run in the sixth on a single, a stolen base, and an RBI groundout.
Manhattan tacked on one more run in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Garcia doubled with two out and scored on a Derba single to provide the final margin.
Costigan picked up his first collegiate win, working eight innings, scattering seven hits (all singles), and striking out six while walking just one. Tom Moran pitched a scoreless ninth to close things out.
Manhattan gets back in action tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27, hosting Long Island University at 3:30 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Park.
