Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Jaspers' junior shortstop Ryan Masters exploded for five RBIs, and went 5-for-6 from the plate helping the Manhattan College baseball team to a series sweep of Saint Peter's (18-29, 6-15) this afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park. Manhattan (28-18-1, 16-5) secured its sixth consecutive MAAC Tournament bid with a 12-4 and 11-4 doubleheader sweep of the Peacocks. Sophomore standout Kevin Nieto set a program record connecting on the 10th triple of his collegiate career surpassing Wendell Anderson '02 on the all-time list.
Manhattan jumped out to a 10-0 advantage by the end of the third inning in game one courtesy to the hot bats of Ruben Perez, Masters and Nieto. Perez broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second with a two RBI double down the left field line. Masters followed with a two RBI single, while Nieto knocked in a total of four RBIs in consecutive at bats. Nieto led the Jaspers with six RBIs over the doubleheader.
Jaspers' starter Mike Gazzola pitched strong leading to his second straight win. Gazzola tossed five innings, allowed just two hits and no earned runs, while striking out five. He improved to 3-2 on the season.
Manhattan used four runs in both the second and fourth innings of game two to escape with a win in what proved to be an error plagued ballgame. Masters contributed four hits and three RBIs, while freshman Mike McCann chipped in four runs and two hits for the squad's seventh straight victory.
Eric Nieto and Kevin Nieto also contributed two hits to the winning effort.
Freshman left-hander Dan Forman twirled six solid innings, and was awarded his seventh win of the year. Brian Pendergast allowed just one hit and struck out four over the final three innings for his fourth save of the season.
Manhattan third baseman Chad Salem connected on two doubles over the doubleheader, and scored five runs. McCann, Perez and Dom Lombardi also doubled.
The Jaspers complete the home portion of the 2008 campaign with a 10 game win streak, and harbor a 13-2-1 overall mark at Van Cortlandt Park.
Today's victories ensure Manhattan a spot in the four team field of the 2008 MAAC Championships held May 22-24 at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J.
Manhattan wraps up the regular-season at Fairfield for a three game series on Thursday and Friday. The Jaspers remain in the hunt for the MAAC Regular Season Championship currently standing one game behind Canisius.
