BOX SCORE
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Despite losing the rubber game of its three-game series Sunday against Niagara University, the Manhattan College baseball (30-14 overall, 14-4 in the MAAC), still finds itself atop the MAAC. After splitting a doubleheader Saturday, the Jasper lost the third game of the series Sunday 10-8 at Sal Maglie Stadium in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The series win for the Purple Eagles (18-30 overall, 12-6 in the MAAC) was the first against a Jasper team since the 2005 season.
Six Jaspers had multi-hit games Sunday. Manhattan catcher Jamie Fitzgerald had three hits on the day, while Chad Salem, Ruben Perez,Austin Sheffield, Ryan Masters and Will DeRuve all had two hits each.
Niagara scored in each of the first five innings to take a 6-0 lead into the top of the fifth. But Manhattan, the No. 4 hitting team in the nation, pieced together a rally, plating five runs in the inning.
With Niagara clinging to a 6-5 lead and the Jaspers having runners on the corners, Manhattan's Mike Onorati grounded the ball back up the middle. The ball deflected off of Niagara's pitcher's glove with the Purple Eagle second baseman picking it up to try and turn the double play to end the inning. His flip to Niagara shortstop Jason Cramer was knocked loose after the tag and Onorati was ruled out on the play due to interference, ending the inning and not allowing the tying run to score.
With Niagara holding a 10-5 lead in the top of the ninth, the Jaspers staged one last rally, but came up short.
Armenio walked and Fitzgerald singled to center.Masters then singled to left, knocking in Armenio.DeRuve flied out to center, but then Onorati singled to the left side. McCann then knocked in two runs with a single to make the score 10-8. But then Salem popped up to short for the second out and then Perez slammed a ball to center but Niagara's center fielder Cam Stykemain made a tremendous diving catch in left-center to end the game.
