Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Junior lefty Mike Gazzola pitched his third complete game of the season and sophomore outfielder Mark Onorati hit 3-for-5 driving in four RBI to lead Manhattan (31-14, 15-4 MAAC) to a 6-3 victory over Rider (21-20, 10-9 MAAC) on Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park. With the win, the Jaspers improve to 13-2 at home this season.
Manhattan jumped on Broncs' starting pitcher Mike Petrowski early as he proceeded to drop his sixth decision of the year. Designated hitter Anthony Armenio led the charge in the bottom of the first when he laced a two RBI double over the head of left fielder Maurice Williams, getting Chad Salem and Onorati across the plate.
Manhattan built its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second when Onorati drove a long fly ball into left field, which turned into a two-RBI double, his first of two doubles in the ballgame. Onorati then delivered his 13 double of the season in the third inning as another run scored to give the Jaspers a five run edge.
On the hill, Gazzola found his rhythm early as he carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, while defensively the Jaspers made several highlight reel plays. Sophomore Austin Sheffield was brilliant at first base beginning in the second inning when he single handedly recorded the final out with a diving stop to his left on a hard hit ball, which looked like it might slip down the right field line. Then in the third, Sheffield made another great play when he fielded a tricky grounder and beat Rider's speedy lead off hitter James Hayes to first base by using a slide move.
Second baseman Ruben Perez made a flashy out of his own in the seventh when he barehanded an infield grounder, which was deflected by Gazzola, and threw out Rider outfielder Darron Lattomus at first base. Perez also recorded his 16th double of the season in the contest.
Rider mounted a comeback attempt in the fifth, an inning in which the Jaspers were plagued by four hits and two errors. First baseman Steve Galella capped the three run surge with a RBI single up the middle to pull the Broncs within 5-3.
Manhattan tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, which was generated by Will DeRuve's lead off double down the left field line and Onorati's RBI single.
The Broncs made one last threat in the top of the ninth after back-to-back one-out singles by John Ralston and Nick Wojnowski, which brought the game tying run to the plate. But Gazzola rouse to the occasion as he powered pitches past Lattomus and Hayes to strikeout these final two batters.
The Jaspers and Broncs will settle the series tomorrow with the doubleheader beginning at noon. Manhattan will honor its senior class during a pregame ceremony.
