Box Score
TRENTON, N.J. ? Manhattan junior Mike Gazzola, the 2009 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, pitched his fourth complete game of the year as he led the Jaspers to a 2-1 victory over Rider (26-22) in the opening round of the MAAC Championships at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J. Sophomore Austin Sheffield launched his seventh home run of the season to tie the game in the fifth, and then senior Ryan Masters delivered the game winning RBI to propel Manhattan (35-16) to a program record 35th victory. The Jaspers advance to the winners' bracket of the MAAC Tournament to face #3 Marist (29-25) on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
“It is a big relief to win this first game,” stated fourth year Manhattan head coach Kevin Leighton.
The Broncs scored its only run in the top of the first courtesy of sophomore third baseman Mason Heyne's RBI single. Despite the blemish, Gazzola powered through the rest of the inning and escaped with a double play, one of five for the Jaspers in the ballgame.
Rider starter Mike Thomas rolled through five strong innings without yielding a hit, before Sheffield launched a bomb over the left center field wall to tie the contest at 1-1. The floodgates slightly opened for Manhattan as Anthony Armenio plunked his league leading 22 double off the right field wall, and then he scored the game winning run with Masters's bloop single which he dropped into shallow right field.
The Jaspers recorded four of their seven hits off Thomas in the decisive fifth inning. Manhattan junior co-captain Kevin Nieto recorded two in the contest for his 73rd of the year. Nieto also stole two bases to improve his season total to 24.
Thomas went six innings and struck out six batters in an attempt to pick up his third consecutive victory. He fell to 5-3 on the year. Gazzola improved to 7-1 on the season as he yielded just five hits and notched two strikeouts.
“Thomas pitched a great game, we just made some adjustments in fifth inning,” explained Leighton.
Manhattan's contest tomorrow with the Red Foxes marks their fourth MAAC Tournament meeting all-time. The Jaspers are 2-1 versus Marist in the conference playoffs. The winner will advance to the Championship round of the double elimination tournament on Saturday.
