Jaspers Edged by Marist in 2009 MAAC Championships Winners? Bracket

TRENTON, N.J. ? The Manhattan College baseball team (35-17) fell 4-3 to #3 Marist (30-25) in an 11 inning marathon on Friday in the 2009 MAAC Tournament winners' bracket. The top-seeded Jaspers will square off with #2 Canisius (34-21) in an elimination match up tonight at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J. First pitch is slated for 8:19 p.m.

Marist junior shortstop Richard Curylo hit a two-run homer in the 11^th inning to upend the Jaspers in their first loss of the MAAC Tournament. Manhattan's rally attempt in the bottom 11^th featured Ryan Masters one out RBI single to pull within 4-3, but the contest ended on junior outfielder Kevin Nieto deep fly out on the right field warning track.

The battle featured a pitchers duel between Manhattan starter Tom Costigan and Marist starter B.J. Martin. Costigan tossed seven and one third hard fought innings as he turned the ball over to freshman right-hander Mike Giordano in the eighth with the game locked at 2-2.

Costigan struck out three batters and was only touched up by a two-run homer in the sixth inning by Red Foxes first baseman Ryan Gauck. The shot erased Manhattan's two-run lead, after receiving two RBIs from sophomore third baseman Chad Salem.

In the first inning, Salem drove in left fielder Mark Onorati who reached base with his 16^th double of the season. Salem carried the Jaspers offense batting 3-for-5. He also increased his season hit total to 77 and RBI mark to 45.

Manhattan took a 2-0 advantage in the fifth inning with Nieto's league leading 71^st run of the season. The run was generated by Nieto's lead off walk, his 25^th steal of the season, an error, and then an infield grounder by Salem.

Martin carried the Red Foxes through eight and two third innings before handing the ball over to Jacob Wiley, the 2009 MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year. Wiley picked up his ninth win of the season as recorded the final seven outs and yielded just three hits.

Giordano was strong in relief for the Jaspers as he pitched a scoreless first three innings. He allowed just two hits with both coming in the 11^th, but unfortunately included Curylo's game winning home run.

The winner of Friday's elimination game between the Jaspers and Golden Griffins will join Marist in the Championship Round on Saturday. The first contest of the MAAC Finals will begin at 1 p.m.