Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team cruised to a doubleheader sweep of Saint Peter's (3-15, 0-2 MAAC) in its conference opener on Saturday in Jersey City, N.J.. Manhattan (8-6, 2-0 MAAC) defeated the Peacocks 8-7 in game one, and then rolled to an 18-3 victory in game two.
Sophomore right fielder Mike McCann guided the Jaspers to victory in game one posting two RBI on two doubles. McCann began a four run rally in the third inning when he drove in junior Kevin Nieto to even the score at 1-1. Anthony Armenio, Ruben Perez and Austin Sheffield knocked in the next three runs to give the Jaspers a three run edge.
Nieto scored two runs and stole two bases in the ballgame.
Manhattan scored two more runs in the fourth, and then another in the fifth to extend its advantage to 7-1. McCann and sophomore Mark Onorati each recorded a RBI in the fourth, while junior catcher Jamie Fitzgerald was responsible another in the fifth. Fitzgerald posted two hits in the contest.
Saint Peter's closed the gap scoring three runs on four hits in the seventh inning, but Fitzgerald's run in the top of the eighth on a fielding error proved to be the decisive score of the Jaspers.
Junior reliever Tom Moran walked in a run in the eighth, and then allowed an one out RBI single from junior Kevin Madison in the ninth (8-7), before shutting the door on the Peacocks. Moran struck out the final two outs to secure the win.
Junior starter Mike Gazzola picked up his second win of the season by tossing seven strong innings, and striking out three batters.
In game two, McCann hit for the cycle, while Nieto and Armenio each tallied five RBI to lead Manhattan to a 15 run victory. Junior pitcher Tom Costigan earned his first victory of the year, after pitching five scoreless innings in his fourth start of the season.
The Jaspers scoring surge featured a 10 run third inning which was capped by Nieto's grand slam, marking his team leading fifth home run of the season. Nieto had two hits in the contest.
McCann completed his perfect 4-for-4 performance from the plate with a two run homer in the top of the sixth to finish the cycle. The sophomore from Belle Harbor, N.Y. scored five runs in the rout.
Freshman infielder Will DeRuve made the first start of his collegiate career at second base in the absence of senior Ryan Masters who was nursing an injury. DeRuve scored four runs, had one hit and walked four times.
Manhattan and Saint Peter's meet for the final contest of the weekend series on Sunday at noon.
