Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Jaspers' freshman reliever Kyle Waddell tossed six and one third innings of shutout baseball helping Manhattan to a 9-5 victory over Hofstra (18-34) this afternoon in Riverdale. Manhattan (25-18-1) rallied for nine runs, three coming in a pivotal fifth inning, to extend its consecutive game home win streak to seven. Senior Eric Nieto, along with freshmen Luis Llerena and Osmani Sanchez combined for seven RBIs in the winning effort.
Hofstra chased Jaspers' starter Mike Tibbetts out of the ballgame in the second inning after jumping out to a 5-0 advantage. Tibbetts could not find a rhythm as he allowed six hits and four earned runs in his first collegiate start.
Sanchez motivated the Jaspers in the bottom of the third when he laced a two out RBI double to left center sending Marc Giordano and Kevin Nieto across home plate. The runs cut Manhattan's disadvantage to 5-4.
In the fifth, Manhattan evened the contest at 5-5 on a Sanchez RBI single up the middle. He led Manhattan with two hits and three RBIs on the day.
Later in the inning, Llerena connected on a two out two RBI single which propelled the Jaspers to a 7-5 lead. Llerena was also strong on the defensive end finishing with six assists in the ballgame.
Manhattan built upon its edge posting two more runs in the seventh to earn a four run cushion. Eric Nieto drove in second baseman Ruben Perez with an identical double down the left field line which Perez used to get on base. Nieto came around to score soon after on a fielding error.
Sophomore right-hander Tom Moran finished off the Pride throwing a scoreless ninth. Moran stepped in for Waddell who was dominant in the middle innings. Waddell allowed six hits, and yielded just one walk for his third win of the season.
Manhattan begins its final home stand of the season on Saturday afternoon for its MAAC doubleheader with Saint Peter's. Prior to the contest, Manhattan will honor its graduating seniors during a Senior Day ceremony. The first game of the set begins at noon at Van Cortlandt Park. Jasper fans can also listen to the live web broadcast exclusively at GoJaspers.com.
