Newark, N.J. (April 1, 2007)?Siena's Jamie Piela pitched a complete game in game one, and Jennifer Granato drove in a combined seven runs in both contests as Siena took two games from Manhattan this afternoon at Branch Brook Park. Liz Strein collected six hits on the afternoon for Manhattan, while Danielle Just had four hits. Manhattan falls to 1-3 in MAAC play, while Siena improves to 2-2 in conference.
Granato got started early, swatting a three-run homerun in the first inning off Manhattan starter Kristin Gelsleichter. Just got one back for Manhattan in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single that scored Strein from second.
Gelsleichter settled down after the homerun, allowing just two hits the rest of the way, giving Manhattan an opportunity to overcome its early deficit. But despite 12 hits, the Lady Jaspers were unable to cash in on their scoring opportunities as Piela worked out of several jams.
Manhattan pushed across a run in the sixth inning and cut Siena's lead to 4-2 on an RBI double by Amanda Genovese. In the seventh inning, Jaclyn Churilla came to the plate as the potential winning run with two runners on base, but Piela got Churilla to fly out to end the game.
In game two Granato struck again, this time in the third inning with a two-run shot off Liz Pennino that gave the Saints a 2-0 lead. In the fourth, Manhattan evened the game up when with Michelle Gutierrez on base, Candice Sheridan homered off Siena starter Renee Clavette.
Siena broke the game open with a three-run fifth inning, getting RBI from Granato, Peila, and Stacey Landini.
Despite giving up four hits and walking two, Siena pitcher Lauren Shaheen didn't allow a run as she closed out the final three innings for the Saints.
Manhattan will return to action this Wednesday when they travel into the Garden State to take on Monmouth University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
