Niagara Falls, N.Y. (April 21, 2007)- Manhattan extended what was already the nation's longest winning streak to 14 games, and what was already the nation's longest road game winning streak to 13 games with a twin bill sweep of Niagara University this afternoon at Sal Maglie Stadium. Jasper starters earned the wins in both games, as Manhattan starters have earned the victory in 12 of the Jaspers' conference leading 13 wins. The Jaspers improve to 22-11, 13-0 MAAC, while the Purple Eagles fall to 12-17, 2-9 MAAC.
In the opener, it was senior Jesse Darcy (6-2) that earned the win, picking up his career-high sixth win of the season of seven innings of five hit ball, allowing no earned runs, while striking out four and walking none.
The Jasper offense put the team ahead with a run in the top of the first. Kevin Nieto (2-4, three runs scored) was hit by a pitch leading off the game, and after an out, stole second base. After a walk and a fielder's choice moved Nieto to third, the rookie outfielder scampered home after red hot hitting senior Mike Garcia singled through the right side. The RBI was one of two on the day, raising the Miami, Fla. native's team-leading total to 34.
The Manhattan bats stayed hot in the second inning. With one out, Eric Nieto walked and stole second, scoring on an RBI single by senior Rene Ruiz. Junior Matt Rizzotti plated Ruiz with a RBI double to center. After Niagara scored a run in the bottom of the frame, the Jaspers carried a 3-1 lead into the top of the fifth, before exploding for three runs in each of the next three innings and one more in the seventh to blow the game open and make the score 13-1 Manhattan after seven innings.
In the fifth, Nunzio Franzese and Eric Nieto tallied RBI, before Franzese stole home as part of a double steal.
In the sixth, Garcia, Ruben Perez, and Franzese tallied RBI, and in the seventh, Nick Derba connected on a two-run homer, and Perez tallied an RBI single. The eighth saw Ruiz drive home Kevin Nieto with a single to provide the final margin.
Jeremy Shaw worked the final two innings, striking out two while not allowing a hit for the fourth straight outing, covering 10.0 innings.
In the nightcap, senior Josh Santerre (5-2) went the distance, allowing no earned run on just four hits, while striking out eight in a 3-1 Manhattan win.
In an eerily similar start to the first game, Kevin Nieto began the game by reaching by virtue of a hit by pitch, scoring this time on a Rizzotti RBI single.
Niagara scored the equalizer in the bottom of the fourth, but Manhattan would not be denied, scoring twice in the top of the sixth. After Rizzotti led off the inning with a double, Derba sent the visiting dugout into a frenzy with a two-run blast to left center, his career-best matching and team-leading equaling eight of the season.
The two MAAC teams will conclude their three-game series with a single, nine-inning game on Sunday, April 22. First pitch is slated for 12 noon.
