Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
Box Score Game 2 (3.7.09)
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan College baseball team rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Delaware (6-5) on Sunday at Bob Hannah Stadium. The Jaspers used a grand slam from junior Anthony Armenio to battle to an 11-9 victory in game one of the set. Manhattan (3-5) made a late rally in game two to earn an 11-7 win.
In game one, Manhattan jumped out to a 3-0 edge by the third inning. Sophomore outfielder Mike McCann drove in the first run on a fielder's choice in the second inning. Then in the third, classmate Mark Onorati added to the lead with a RBI single, which was followed by Ryan Masters' run on a fielding error.
Delaware responded with eight runs on seven hits in the bottom of the third. Second baseman Pat Dameron capped the surge with a three run homer which forced the Jaspers to go to their bullpen. Junior right-hander Mike Tibbetts got Manhattan out of the third, and was efficient over the next two innings to set the stage for the comeback.
The Jaspers tied the game at 8-8 in the fifth inning. The five run attack was featured by Armenio's grand slam. Onorati also had an RBI single. He finished 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.
Blue Hens centerfielder Scott Shockley doubled in a run in the bottom of the fifth to regain an advantage, but Jaspers' junior outfielder Kevin Nieto blasted a two run homer in the next inning which proved to be the decisive runs. Onorati followed with an insurance solo home run.
Manhattan reliever Tom Moran allowed just two hits and struck out two batters in the final two innings to earn the save. Tibbetts took the win, marking his first of the season.
In game two, the Jaspers scored all 11 runs between the seventh and eighth innings to erase a four run deficit and cruise to the second straight victory. Nieto and sophomore third baseman Chad Salem each contributed three RBI to the winning effort.
Manhattan used a three run blast from Nieto to start the seventh inning scoring surge. Onorati followed with a two run homer, and then first baseman Austin Sheffield and catcher Ramon Ortega added RBI singles.
In the eighth, Salem sent a three run shot over the left field fence, which was followed by McCann's RBI single up the middle. McCann went 3-for-5 and scored a run. Masters also had three hits and scored two runs.
Moran contained the Blue Hens offense over the final three innings in relief work to earn the win.
The Jaspers' Sunday began with an 11-5 loss to Delaware, which was the second game of a double-header that was suspended due to darkness on Saturday. The contest was picked up in the fifth inning with Manhattan trailing 4-1. The Blue Hens quickly added five runs to its advantage in the bottom of the fifth, and held off the Manhattan the rest of the way.
Manhattan returns to action this weekend in Philadelphia beginning with a single game at Temple on Friday at 3 p.m.
