Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team split its doubleheader matchup with Siena (7-17, 4-4) this afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale. The Jaspers surrendered a five run advantage in game one, eventually falling 16-10. Manhattan (11-12-1, 3-2) rallied for a 10-3 victory in game two behind sophomore right-hander Brian Pendergast's dominant outing on the hill. Pendergast locked the Saints down for seven innings leading to his second win of the season, and first complete game of his collegiate career.
The Jaspers' offense was clicking on all cylinders in game one as the squad burst out to a 10-5 advantage by the fifth inning. Sophomore centerfielder Kevin Nieto's hot bat led the charge as he erupted for three RBIs, and went 2-for-5 from the plate.
Siena clawed its way back into the contest, and used a Rick Seltzer three run blast in the top of the sixth to pull within 10-8 of the Jaspers. Seltzer's bat erupted for eight RBIs and two homeruns, after striking out in his first three at bats.
Freshman outfielder Mark Onorati helped Manhattan get out of the troublesome sixth inning by making a brilliant diving catch deep in left to preserve the two run edge. Onorati complemented his web gem on the offensive end by scoring three runs, going 1-for-3 from the plate, and registering a RBI.
Manhattan's pitching wore down late in the contest, as Siena evened the game with a pair of runs in the seventh, and then busted the match open with five more in the top of the eighth. Seltzer delivered the dagger when he connected on a grand slam placing it deep over the right field wall.
In game two, the Jaspers bats jumped on Siena starter Craig Chaput early, while Pendergast subdued the Saints offensive surge with his efficiency on the hill.
Eric Nieto, a senior outfielder, began a first inning rally with a lead off single. Onorati moved Eric Nieto to third with a double to left field, before Chad Salem sent them both to the plate with a bases clearing double to right field.
Manhattan second baseman Ruben Perez also contributed a double to the effort which then got Salem and Marc Giordano around the diamond. Perez came to the plate as a result of a Siena error capping off the Jaspers' 5-0 early advantage.
Salem finished the two game set with five RBIs, and was 3-for-9 from the plate, including two doubles.
Senior Dom Lombardi blasted a two RBI double in the next inning to extend Manhattan's lead to seven runs. Lombardi managed two doubles on the afternoon.
The Jaspers added three more in the fifth to give Pendergast a nice cushion to work with.
Pendergast put together solid performance allowing just three hits and two earned runs over seven innings of work. He also struck out four in the winning effort.
Kevin Nieto extended his hit streak to eight consecutive games, after going 3-for-9 over today's contests. He scored three runs and stole a base.
Onorati and Eric Nieto were also a handful at the plate during the doubleheader. Onorati went 3-for-6 and scored four runs. Eric Nieto scored five runs and was 3-for-7.
Manhattan wraps up its series with Siena tomorrow afternoon with the final game of the set. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Park.
